Podcast appearances and mentions of saint thomas aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that there are five expressions of the divine will in God which are meant to lead us and guide us in life. Let's dive in with Fr. Wade Menezes on Open Line Tuesday.

Join Father Kevin Drew as he preaches on this Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Today's readings First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16 Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Gospel: Matthew 23:8-12 Catholic Radio Network

Send us a textWe follow Saint Thomas Aquinas from monastery halls to university classrooms and into the chapel, tracing how his mind and prayer forged the Church's Eucharistic clarity. His life, hymns, and teaching show why the Real Presence stands at the center of Christian worship and evangelization.• early formation at Monte Cassino and Dominican calling • mentorship under Saint Albert the Great • the Summa Theologiae as a pathway to Christ • defense of transubstantiation and the Real Presence • hymns Pange Lingua and Adoro Te Devote as sung catechesis • mystical vision at Naples and its theological impact • role in shaping the Feast of Corpus Christi • guidance for modern evangelizers anchored in adoration and fidelityVisit journeysoffaith.com website today Be sure to click the link in the description for special news item Finish reading and check out the special offer You can access this podcast with our new app. Go to the Apple App Store and search for Journeys of FaithSaint Thomas Aquinas CollectionOpen by Steve Bailey Support the showDownload Journeys of Faith Free App link. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/journeys-of-faith/id6757635073 Journeys of Faith brings your Super Saints Podcasts ***Our Core Beliefs*** The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Faith." Catechism 132 Click Here “This is the will of God, your sanctification.” 1Thessalonians 4“ Click Here ... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” Matthew 6:19-2 Click Here The Goal is Heaven Click Here Please consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith we are actively increasing our reach and we are seeing good results for visitors under 40! Help us Grow! Buy Me a cup of Coffee...

ROSARY - GLORIOUS MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Wednesday.

The problem is never the seed. The difference is the soil.

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas' Story By universal consent, Saint Thomas Aquinas is the preeminent spokesman of the Catholic tradition of reason and of divine revelation. He is one of the great teachers of the medieval Catholic Church, honored with the titles Doctor of the Church and Angelic Doctor. At five Saint Thomas Aquinas was given to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino in his parents' hopes that he would choose that way of life and eventually became abbot. In 1239, he was sent to Naples to complete his studies. It was here that he was first attracted to Aristotle's philosophy. By 1243, Thomas abandoned his family's plans for him and joined the Dominicans, much to his mother's dismay. On her order, Thomas was captured by his brother and kept at home for over a year. Once free, Saint Thomas Aquinas went to Paris and then to Cologne, where he finished his studies with Albert the Great. He held two professorships at Paris, lived at the court of Pope Urban IV, directed the Dominican schools at Rome and Viterbo, combated adversaries of the mendicants, as well as the Averroists, and argued with some Franciscans about Aristotelianism. His greatest contribution to the Catholic Church is his writings. The unity, harmony, and continuity of faith and reason, of revealed and natural human knowledge, pervades his writings. One might expect Thomas, as a man of the gospel, to be an ardent defender of revealed truth. But he was broad enough, deep enough, to see the whole natural order as coming from God the Creator, and to see reason as a divine gift to be highly cherished. The Summa Theologiae, his last and, unfortunately, uncompleted work, deals with the whole of Catholic theology. He stopped work on it after celebrating Mass on December 6, 1273. When asked why he stopped writing, he replied, “I cannot go on…. All that I have written seems to me like so much straw compared to what I have seen and what has been revealed to me.” He died March 7, 1274. Reflection We can look to Thomas Aquinas as a towering example of Catholicism in the sense of broadness, universality, and inclusiveness. We should be determined anew to exercise the divine gift of reason in us, our power to know, learn, and understand. At the same time we should thank God for the gift of his revelation, especially in Jesus Christ.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

For 28 January 2026, The Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, based on Mark 4:1-20

Read Online“Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:28–30Consider the sobering reality of suffering the guilt of everlasting sin. Though alarming and unpleasant, understanding this possibility is foundational to a healthy spiritual life. This is best illustrated in the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, one of the co-founders of the Jesuits. The Spiritual Exercises are considered one of the most transforming retreat formats ever written. They guide spiritual directors who lead retreatants through a thirty-day retreat, helping them experience profound conversion and make major life decisions. The first week of those exercises contains various meditations on the horror of hell and the seriousness of one mortal sin.Today's Gospel is not only ideal for those beginning a thirty-day retreat, but also for everyone serious about spiritual growth. On our spiritual journey, we often must do that which is initially difficult and unpleasant so as to reap the fruit of that exercise. One such exercise is to meditate on our Lord's words: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”In commenting on this, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss” (#1864).Traditionally, the sin this Gospel refers to has been called the “Sin Against the Holy Spirit.” Saint Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica (II-II, Question 14, Articles 1–3), articulates six ways that one can be guilty of this sin:Despair: rejecting God's mercy and refusing to believe one's sins can be forgiven.Presumption: believing one can attain salvation without grace or repentance.Impenitence: a refusal to repent for past sins.Obstinacy: a hardened resolve to remain in sin.Resisting the Known Truth: deliberately rejecting the truths of the faith to justify sin.Envy of Another's Grace: resenting the Holy Spirit's work in others.God alone knows the depths of our human heart and comprehends our guilt or mitigating circumstances.God alone is the perfect Judge. He judges with divine equity, His perfect justice and mercy united as one.Though God's mercy is limitless, this does not mean that everyone goes to Heaven. Recall Jesus' teaching: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).The common thread in the ways Saint Thomas articulates this “everlasting sin” is an obstinate refusal to see our sins in the light of eternal Truth and then to repent and change. When properly understood, attaining Heaven is easy! All we need to do is be honest, turn from sin, and abandon ourselves to our loving God—especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A thorough and honest confession is a sure path through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Reflect today on the serious and consequential demands God places on us. His generosity knows no bounds, but we must receive that generosity on His terms. Ideally, today's Gospel will inspire us with the spiritual gift of Fear of the Lord. The perfection of this gift is not a fear of punishment, but a deep reverence and love for God that moves us to avoid anything that might offend Him. It deepens our relationship with Him and strengthens our resolve to walk the narrow path. If you find yourself obstinate at times, beware of the danger of that interior disposition. Most merciful Lord, please free me from all obstinacy and help me to see my sin as You see it. I repent of my sin and profess my need for Your Divine Mercy. Please open the gate to that Mercy so that I can be with You forever in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.Image:   Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Read OnlineHe appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Mark 3:16–19Though Jesus called many disciples, He chose Twelve, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and entrusted them with a unique mission. He named them Apostles, meaning “one who is sent” or “messenger,” and gave them His authority as the first bishops of His Church. Among them was the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Did Jesus make a mistake when He called Judas to be an Apostle? Certainly not. Jesus' actions were perfect in every way and fully in accord with the Father's will. Why did He pick Judas, even though He knew he would betray Him?Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that Jesus possessed the Beatific Vision and infused knowledge from the moment of His conception (Summa Theologiae, III.9.2&3). Therefore, He comprehended all things with God's eternal knowledge, including the future role each Apostle would play. When He chose Judas Iscariot, He knew the path Judas would take, yet He called him anyway.An important theological principle to understand is that God's foreknowledge of our future does not interfere with our free will. Some philosophers have argued that God's foreknowledge means the path we walk is predetermined and cannot change. While it is true that what God knows will not change, it is also true that His knowledge does not force or determine what we freely choose. God's knowledge simply transcends and encompasses all time.When pondering the sorrowful betrayal of one of Jesus' intimate friends, there are important lessons we can learn from this permissive act of evil. God permits evil because He permits good. If He were to prohibit evil—an act of free will—He would be prohibiting the use of free will itself, thwarting our ability to freely love. This reveals the incredible gift that God has given us: the ability to love or not. This gift is essential to who we are, enabling us to share in God's abundant and overflowing love and mercy, freely bestowed and freely received.God's permissive will also reflects the mysterious relationship between Divine Providence and human action. God, Who is All-Powerful, can bring good even out of the gravest sins. This is not a credit to us but to God's might. In the case of Judas, God used his betrayal to set in motion the very act of redemption. The same is true in our lives.When we experience betrayal, or betray another, God is able to bring good out of that act. If we are guilty of betrayal and fail to repent, God's justice will prevail, and we will be condemned. Though our sins against others are damaging, God can use even our sins for good in their lives. He can foster mercy and forgiveness in others' hearts and unite them more fully with Himself, Who was betrayed.When another sins against us, the impulse to judge and condemn is a common temptation. Yet, the lesson we must learn from Judas is recorded beautifully by Saint Paul: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even injustice and sins committed against us are not reasons for despair but for hope—hope in the sinner's repentance and hope that God will transform evil into good for those who love Him and unite themselves with Jesus' betrayal by Judas. Reflect today on God's almighty power to work all things for good in your life, even sin. Though the sinner who refuses to repent will experience the fullness of God's justice, profound good can come from our repentance and from imitating Jesus, Who endured cruel betrayal. Trust in His power and allow Him to bring good out of evil in your life. Doing so not only lifts the heavy burden of anger, it also infuses God's perfect charity into any and everything we encounter or endure in life. My triumphant Lord, You were cruelly treated by one of Your closest companions, yet in Your almighty power You transformed that evil, bringing from it the greatest good ever known—our redemption. Please give me the grace to repent when I sin, and when I am sinned against, help me to unite that injustice to the betrayal You endured so that Your grace will triumph. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: NateBergin, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Raymond of Peñafort Saint Raymond of Peñafort's Story Since Saint Raymond of Peñafort lived into his hundredth year, he had a chance to do many things. As a member of the Spanish nobility, he had the resources and the education to get a good start in life. By the time he was 20, he was teaching philosophy. In his early 30s he earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. At 41 he became a Dominican. Pope Gregory IX called him to Rome to work for him and to be his confessor. One of the things the pope asked him to do was to gather together all the decrees of popes and councils that had been made in 80 years since a similar collection by Gratian. Raymond compiled five books called the Decretals. They were looked upon as one of the best organized collections of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law. Earlier, Saint Raymond of Peñafort had written for confessors a book of cases. It was called Summa de Casibus Poenitentiae. More than simply a list of sins and penances, it discussed pertinent doctrines and laws of the Church that pertained to the problem or case brought to the confessor. At the age of 60, Raymond was appointed archbishop of Tarragona, the capital of Aragon. He didn't like the honor at all and ended up getting sick and resigning in two years. He didn't get to enjoy his peace long, however, because when he was 63 he was elected by his fellow Dominicans to be the head of the whole Order, the successor of Saint Dominic. Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominicans, reorganized their constitutions and managed to put through a provision that a master general be allowed to resign. When the new constitutions were accepted, Raymond, then 65, resigned. He still had 35 years to oppose heresy and work for the conversion of the Moors in Spain. He convinced Saint Thomas Aquinas to write his work Against the Gentiles. In his 100th year, the Lord let Raymond retire. Reflection Raymond was a lawyer, a canonist. Legalism can suck the life out of genuine religion if it becomes too great a preoccupation with the letter of the law to the neglect of the spirit and purpose of the law. The law can become an end in itself, so that the value the law was intended to promote is overlooked. But we must guard against going to the opposite extreme and seeing law as useless or something to be lightly regarded. Laws ideally state those things that are for the best interests of everyone and make sure the rights of all are safeguarded. From Raymond, we can learn a respect for law as a means of serving the common good.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Read OnlineWhen Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:24The human person is a fascinating subject of study. Throughout the ages, countless philosophers, theologians, and social scientists have sought to understand the complexities of human nature. Within the Catholic philosophical tradition, Saint Thomas Aquinas stands out as an influential and trustworthy teacher on this topic.Aquinas teaches that while a person sleeps, the external senses are inactive. However, sense images within the imagination can still be active to varying degrees, depending on the depth of sleep, leading to the formation of dreams. Human reason is not entirely inactive during sleep, but it operates in a diminished capacity, which often results in dreams being nonsensical. Because the intellect's judgment is not fully engaged, the content of dreams is generally neither moral nor immoral.There is, however, another form of dream that transcends the normal and natural type. This is exemplified in Joseph's dream. In such divinely inspired dreams, like Joseph's, human reason is fully active—not because of the natural workings of the imagination—but because the dream is a direct result of divine intervention. In Joseph's case, his reason and intellect were fully engaged, allowing him to comprehend the divine message delivered by the angel. He was presented with a choice, and with his reason fully operative, he freely chose to say “Yes” to God's communication, thus embracing his role in the divine plan.This “Yes” to the divine plan is clearly illustrated in the passage quoted above. Upon awakening, Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” His choice was made during his divinely inspired dream, and his will fully acted upon this decision when he awoke.Though divinely inspired dreams like Joseph's are uncommon, they do happen. We, however, do not need to wait for such a dream to imitate Joseph's obedience to God's will. Like Joseph, we have been given divine Truth. For us, that Truth comes primarily through Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church. The writings of the saints also help clarify all that God speaks to us.At times, our imaginations can lead us astray, much like in a dream. When we allow irrational thoughts to dictate our actions, we might find ourselves filled with anxiety, worry, and confusion. Imitating Joseph does not mean waiting for a divine dream; rather, it means actively engaging our minds with divine Truth as revealed through the Church and Sacred Scripture. We must then listen to that truth, dismiss irrational thoughts, and use our reason to command our will to act in obedience to God's will. Reflect, today, on whether you tend to dwell on irrational ideas or whether you turn your intellect to divine Truth as the basis for what you believe and how you act. Just as Joseph trusted in the Truth revealed to him by the angel and acted upon it, we too must place our trust in the Truth and act accordingly.My trustworthy Lord, You have revealed to us all Truth as is given to us through the Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church. When my imagination leads me astray into obsessive thinking and worrying, please speak to me and help me to hear Your voice. May every decision I make and action I take be in accord with Your Truth. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Finoskov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Episode Topic: The Cross as an Epiphany of GodHow can the Crucifixion, an event of profound suffering, be the ultimate revelation of God's glory? Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P., the Rector Magnificus at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, unveils St. Thomas Aquinas's vision of the Cross as an epiphany of divine love, wisdom, and the hidden splendor of God's redemptive work.Featured Speakers:- Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum)Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/3016ae.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Aquinas at 800.Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Modern culture often tells us to express every feeling freely, regardless of the consequences or how our emotions might affect others. In contrast, the Puritan mindset teaches that emotions are dangerous and should be suppressed or ignored while we simply push through life. As parents, which of these extremes should we encourage in our children?Dr. Suzanne Baars joins us to share insights drawn from a lifetime of mentorship under her father, Dr. Conrad Baars, a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp and the pioneer of Affirmation Therapy. This approach reimagines psychology through the moral framework of Saint Thomas Aquinas, emphasizing that our emotions are valuable signals of our inner state. Rather than being dismissed or indulged, emotions should be understood, respected, and expressed appropriately.Affirmation Therapy offers a balanced middle ground between emotional repression and unchecked expression. In this conversation, Dr. Baars explains how parents can affirm their children and guide them toward emotional maturity, helping them grow into healthy, happy, and secure adults. Her practical wisdom provides clear steps you can begin using today to foster emotional confidence in your little ones.Join our new Patreon community! https://patreon.com/lilaroseshow - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/Check out our amazing sponsors!-Angel Studios: https://angel.com/lila Join the Guild to vote on future blockbuster films, access all of Angel's films and shows, and even get free tickets to upcoming releases. -Covenant Eyes: http://covenanteyes.sjv.io/Kjngb9 Sign up to grow in purity and gain traction over sexual addiction: use code “LILA” for a free month!-EveryLife: https://www.everylife.com Buy diapers from an amazing pro-life diaper company and use code LILA to get 10% off!00:00:00 - Intro00:02:27 - Sue's Background00:06:13 - Psyche, Soul, and Psychology00:10:20 - Her father's escape from Nazis00:24:23 - Affirming Feelings00:27:45 - Is harder = holier?00:35:07 - Repression v Expression00:41:13 - What's proper use of emotions?00:53:10 - Personal Management vs Professional Help00:58:19 - What does Lack of Affirmation look like?01:03:25 - How to deal with hypersensitivity?01:07:06 - What are principles for affirming children?01:20:56 - Being vs Doing with other people01:25:23 - The Affirming Life Should be for all of us01:29:22 - How to active your receptivity01:34:16 - Tips for mothers in particular

St. Isaac's counsel confronts the modern temptation toward self-promotion, verbal dominance, and the illusion of expertise. In a time when our culture prizes quick answers, visible influence, and a polished public persona, his words cut against the grain. He reminds us that the deepest authority is not rooted in rhetoric or clever disputation, but in the quiet radiance of a virtuous life. Humility, expressed in meek speech, modest bearing, restraint in judgment, and continual learning, guards the soul from the injury of familiarity and the snares of pride. For those in the spiritual life today, this means resisting the lure of proving ourselves in debates, curating our image for approval, or speaking beyond what we have truly lived. It is an invitation to clothe our knowledge in tears and fasting, to let the wisdom of the Church shape our vision, and to guard our minds from curiosities that puff up rather than purify. Such a way seems “small” in the eyes of the world, yet it opens the heart to the grace of God, the only true teacher. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:58 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 145. Paragraph 20 00:12:39 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 145, mid-page # 20 2nd paragraph on page 00:13:11 Zack Morgan: no 00:24:51 Anthony: This goes so much against the grain of the Classical Greek world: being a public person and a public corrector after the manner of Socrates 00:40:14 Anthony: I found the spirit of blasphemy is contagious from people who proclaim they are righteous but take delight in showing the faults of others. I wish I could shake it off. 00:40:25 Una: Any practical suggestions for those of us whose knees are shot and can't do prostrations anymore? 00:45:55 Ben: I think St. Seraphim of Sarov said something about continual prayer supplying for the inability to fast. Could one hope that the same could be said about an inability to perform other ascetical works, like prostrations? 00:54:02 Ren Witter: How does one discern when one's conscience differs from widely held beliefs in the Church because it is malformed, and when it differs but is in fact formed well? I am thinking of immediate, small things obviously, but also St. John Chrysostom, who experienced exile from the institutional Church, and who had such confidence in his own conscience that he could say “they have the churches, but we have the truth” ? 00:55:18 Anthony: Replying to "Any practical sugges..."   There's something about prayer being the highest ascetical work. Maybe in Evergetinos. 00:59:28 Mary

Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda (1490-1573) was a Spanish humanist, philosopher, and theologian of the Spanish Renaissance. He is mainly known for his participation in a famous debate with Bartolomé de las Casas in Valladolid, Spain, in 1550–1551. The debate centered on the legitimacy of the conquest and colonization of America by the Spanish Empire and on the treatment of the Native Americans. The main philosophical referents of Sepulveda were Aristotle, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Roman law and Christian theology. These influences allowed him to argue for the cultural superiority and domination of the Spanish over the Native Americans during the period of the conquest. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/bZmyfAroUWQ which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. In Our Time History podcast at https://amzn.to/3HdSjF5 In Our Time book by M.Bragg https://amzn.to/44VlbuP Melvyn Bragg books available at https://amzn.to/458Iosk Bartolomé de las Casas books at https://amzn.to/46OMMiQ Encomienda books at https://amzn.to/3Hhp4B8 Caroline Dodds Pennock book at https://amzn.to/3UF8Jt6 ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credit: In Our Time History podcast with Melvyn Bragg and guests Caroline Dodds Pennock, John Edwards, Julia McClure (episode: Valladolid Debate (20feb2020) BBC Radio4. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read OnlineThen Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 16:22–23What a shocking statement this must have been that was spoken by Jesus to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus said. In the paragraph before this, Peter professed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus in turn told Peter that he was Petros and on this petra He would build His Church. Petros is the Greek word for a movable rock and petra was an immovable solid rock foundation. Thus, Peter was told that he would be the stone, set upon a solid foundation, by which Jesus would build His Church. Jesus even went on to promise Peter that he would receive the keys to the Kingdom and that whatever he bound on earth would be bound in Heaven. And then, one paragraph later, Jesus rebukes Peter for thinking “not as God” but as a human being.Jesus rebuked Peter because Peter could not accept Jesus' teaching about His coming passion and death. Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that He would soon suffer greatly, be rejected by the chief priest, the scribes and the elders, be killed and then rise on the third day. So Peter went from a profound proclamation of faith, to fear and a rejection of the divine plan of salvation. And for that reason, Jesus went from entrusting much authority to Peter to rebuking him for his weakness and fear.Fear is often a paralyzing passion. Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that the passion of fear comes from a perceived future evil. Sorrow is the normal reaction to a present suffering such as the death of a loved one. But when the perceived suffering, or apparent evil, is something that has not yet come, then we often react with fear. When that fear is caused by something exterior and out of our control, it tempts us to feel shock, a sense of being overwhelmed and anxiety. In the case of Peter, the thought of Jesus suffering greatly, and being killed, was more than he was able to accept. So Peter says, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”Jesus' rebuke of Peter was an act of true love. It was a way of shaking him free from the paralysis of fear. Jesus wanted Peter to think clearly and to face this future suffering with courage, acceptance, hope and faith. Courage provides strength. Acceptance cures anxiety. Hope produces joy. And faith is the remedy for all fear. These and other similar virtues were necessary if Peter and the other disciples were going to be able to endure the suffering and passion of Jesus. They needed to know that this perceived evil was going to be transformed by the Father in Heaven and used for the greatest good the world had ever known. They needed to know that Jesus “must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly…” It was the Father's will. And because it was the Father's will, the greatest good would come from the greatest evil because of God's almighty power. Reflect, today, upon that which causes you the most fear and anxiety in your life. When you look to the future, what is it that paralyzes you or at least tempts you to fear and worry? The truth is that any evil or suffering that you foresee has the potential to bring forth the greatest good in your life. Your natural human mind cannot discern this. We must strive to think as God, not as humans, as Jesus says. Try to look at anything that causes you anxiety through the eyes of God alone. Trust that, in faith, all can be used by God for good. Do not doubt but believe and God will begin to bestow upon you the many virtues you need to move forward with peace, courage and confidence. My suffering Lord, You faced the evil You endured with the utmost courage and love. You never gave in to fear but pressed on, fulfilling the Father's will. Give me the grace I need to share in Your strength so as to overcome all that tempts me to fear. I love You, my Lord. May I rely upon You for all things. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: National Trust, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read OnlineJesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1In today's Gospel we are given three teachings on prayer. First, Jesus teaches His disciples what has come to be called “The Lord's Prayer.” Second, He teaches about the importance of persistence in prayer. Third, He teaches about the fruit that comes from correct and persistent prayer.The Church Father Tertullian said that The Lord's Prayer “is truly the summary of the whole Gospel.” Saint Augustine said, “Run through all the words of the holy prayers [in Scripture], and I do not think that you will find anything in them that is not contained and included in the Lord's Prayer.” Saint Thomas Aquinas said, “The Lord's Prayer is the most perfect of prayers.... In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired” (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2761–2763).It's amazing to consider what these great teachers of the faith have said about this short prayer. Perhaps because of our familiarity with this prayer we can easily gloss over the depth of its meaning. We can fail to use it as a foundation and model for all of our prayer. One way to correct this tendency is to use The Lord's Prayer for an extended period of time by prayerfully pondering every word slowly and meditatively. Doing so will help open us up to these perfect “instructions” on how we should pray.Immediately after Jesus taught this short prayer, He taught a lesson about persistence in prayer. He taught that we must not simply say a few prayers and leave it at that, giving up if they do not appear to be answered. Instead, we must continuously beg God for His grace until it is bestowed in its fullness.What will we receive from persistent prayer? This is an important point. We ought not go to God with our own wants and desires. We ought not beg Him for things that do not fall within His perfect will. Instead, when our prayer is modeled on the Lord's Prayer, and when it is persistent and grounded in faith, then our prayer will be for what the Father bestows upon us, that is His will alone. We must pray that His Kingdom will come. We must trust that He will provide for our needs. We must seek His forgiveness for our sins, and we must pray that He will protect us from the evil one.Reflect, today, upon that perfect prayer, The Lord's Prayer. Spend time studying it, thinking about each petition, the order in which Jesus laid it out, its simplicity and its clarity. Acknowledge that because we pray The Lord's Prayer so often, we can sometimes miss its true meaning and beauty. Our Lord gave us this prayer for a reason. Make sure that you do all you can to discover its meaning and practice its teaching. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read OnlineAll who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. Luke 1:65–66John the Baptist was formed by the hand of the Lord. Saint Thomas Aquinas goes so far as to say that John was sanctified in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, as is written: “He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother's womb” (Luke 1:15). From the moment that the Blessed Virgin Mary greeted Elizabeth and John leaped for joy, the hand of the Lord was upon John, making him holy and leading him to the fulfillment of God's holy will.John's early life is not recorded for us, other than in the passage quoted above. We are told that he “grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” We should see in this passage the truth that John was not only sanctified within the womb of his mother but that, throughout his childhood and on into adulthood, he remained deeply united to God and was filled with the Holy Spirit.Today we honor one particular aspect of John's life—his birth. We know that he was blessed to not only be born into the blessed family of Elizabeth and Zechariah but that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, was also his relative and was present at his birth. Zechariah, his father, gave him the name “John” even though it would have been the custom to call him Zechariah after his father. Zechariah did this in obedience to the Archangel Gabriel, who appeared to him prior to John's birth and instructed him to do so.Great mystery and excitement surrounded the birth of John, and there is little doubt that those who were present at his birth would have been caught up in the intrigue and hope of who he would become. And John didn't disappoint. It was of him that Jesus one day would say, “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John…” (Luke 7:28).Though you may not have had the privilege of being sanctified in the womb of your mother, or to have had your father receive a revelation from the Archangel Gabriel prior to your birth, you are, nonetheless, called to be guided by the hand of the Lord each and every day. God wants you to become “strong in spirit” so that you can fulfill the unique will given to you. We honor the great saints, in part, because they give us an example of how to live. For that reason, we must see in each of their lives the model to which we must conform. The primary witness set by Saint John the Baptist is that he was unwaveringly obedient to God and to being formed by His hand. The result was the glorious fulfillment of his unique mission in life, all the way to giving his life as a martyr. Reflect, today, upon the very real fact that, though you were not sanctified in the womb, you were sanctified by Baptism. From there, you were strengthened by the Spirit through Confirmation and are regularly fed by the Most Holy Eucharist. In many ways, you are just as blessed as John.Reflect upon the simple yet profound fact that God wants to use you for His holy mission. He gives to you some particular mission He has not entrusted to another. Say “Yes” to that mission today so that you, too, will be seen as “great” in the Kingdom of Heaven.Lord of all greatness, You sanctified Saint John the Baptist in the womb, and You continued to pour forth Your grace upon him throughout his life. He responded to You and fulfilled his glorious mission. I thank You for the sanctification given to me by my Baptism and strengthened through Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Help me to be open to all the graces You wish to bestow so that I may fulfill the unique mission given to me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image Luca Giordano, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read Online“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.” Matthew 6:22–23Every Scripture passage, in a spiritual sense, can teach us many lessons. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his commentary on Matthew's Gospel, offers one interpretation to the passage quoted above by saying that the “eye” in this passage refers to your intention and “your whole body” refers to all of your actions that follow from your intention. Therefore, when your intentions are in line with God's will, the actions that follow will be also. This is a very practical and useful lesson for your journey toward holiness.With this insight from Saint Thomas, we must look at our intentions in an honest and complete way. What are your intentions in life? It's easy for us to form various intentions that may seem good as well as some that are contrary to the will of God without even realizing it. We may intend to get a good night's sleep on one occasion. Or intend to have fun with family and friends on a certain day. Or we may intend to cook a good meal, clean the house, do well at work, etc. There are many momentary intentions that are good and are a normal part of daily living. However, the most important intention to consider is that which is the deepest of them all. What is the most central, foundational, and fundamental intention by which your life is directed?The primary intention that you should work to acquire is to give God the greatest glory possible in all that you do. Giving glory to God is accomplished when you choose Him and His holy will above everything else in life. When this is the deepest and most fundamental intention of your life, everything else will flow from it. All secondary intentions and actions will align with this central focus and work toward its accomplishment. But when there are other “first intentions” that you have on the most fundamental level, then all the rest of your intentions and actions will be misguided and directed in a disordered way.Reflect, today, upon the most fundamental intention you have in life. Doing so will require a considerable amount of interior reflection and honesty. It will require that you sort through the many things that motivate you and the decisions you make each and every day. Reflect upon the primary purpose of your life, which must be to give God the greatest glory possible by choosing and living His perfect will. Do all of your daily actions align with this ultimate goal? Commit yourself to the holy work of examining all of your actions in this light so that you will more fully achieve the purpose for which you were created.God of all glory, You and You alone are worthy of all my praise. Your will and Your will alone must become the foundation of all that I choose in life. Give me the spiritual insight I need to look deeply at all that motivates me and all of my most interior intentions in life. May all of my intentions and all of my actions have as their goal Your eternal glory. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Károly Ferenczy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Join me as I begin the Dominican meditations on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Rooted in the tradition passed down from Saint Dominic, these reflections offer unique insights from Dominican saints like Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Catherine of Siena. Use these meditations to deepen your prayer, pausing after each one to pray your decade, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rosary through the lens of Dominican spirituality.  The Latin Prayer Podcast is on Patreon - for those of you who are able to financially support the podcast please Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/thelatinprayerpodcast).  A huge thank you to my patrons!  To Support FishEaters.com Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/fisheaters)  Please check out our Resources, Gift Ideas & Affiliate Links page: https://dylandrego.podbean.com/p/resources-gift-ideas-affiliate-links  Join me and others in praying the Holy Rosary every day; here are the Spotify quick links to the Rosary:   Joyful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yhnGJNSl67psg94j3si3s?si=7IjqIg2wQQaZTJTiDm-Dhw  Sorrowful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3P0nIdaLuEjesHRMklwfoj?si=6qF7JBYpRiG0ylwuOohFwA  Glorious Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3t7lCF7nFQDR3py1jjTAE1?si=hBb_5Ne5Rwu-993nUUqHqg  Luminous Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vlAjEGgWPCI79K7Eylh31?si=Hue9USzkTf-L3wrXrK79MQ  15 Decade Rosary https://open.spotify.com/episode/2q33PXMrinZi6fkaV6X7vn?si=Jy_d2xLlTVihD5qa4fSH9g  To follow me on other platforms Click on my LinkTree below.  linktr.ee/dylandrego  (https://linktr.ee/dylandrego)  If you have any prayers you'd like to request, or comments and/or suggestions - please email me at latinprayerpodcast@gmail.com.  (mailto:latinprayerpodcast@gmail.com.)  Know that if you are listening to this, I am praying for you. Please continue to pray with me and for me and my family.  May everything you do be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.  God Love You!  Valete (Goodbye)  This podcast may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advanced the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church for the promulgation of religious education. We believe this constitutes a "fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US copyright law, and section 29, 29.1 & 29.2 of the Canadian copyright act. Music Credit: 3MDEHDDQTEJ1NBB0

April 26th, 2025:  Saint Thomas Aquinas on Divine Mercy & Sin; Witnessing to the Truth; God Grants Mercy to Those Who Fear Him

Join me as I begin the Dominican meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Rooted in the tradition passed down from Saint Dominic, these reflections offer unique insights from Dominican saints like Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Catherine of Siena. Use these meditations to deepen your prayer, pausing after each one to pray your decade, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rosary through the lens of Dominican spirituality.   The Latin Prayer Podcast is on Patreon - for those of you who are able to financially support the podcast please Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/thelatinprayerpodcast). A huge thank you to my patrons! To Support FishEaters.com Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/fisheaters) Please check out our Resources, Gift Ideas & Affiliate Links page: https://dylandrego.podbean.com/p/resources-gift-ideas-affiliate-links Join me and others in praying the Holy Rosary every day; here are the Spotify quick links to the Rosary:  Joyful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yhnGJNSl67psg94j3si3s?si=7IjqIg2wQQaZTJTiDm-Dhw Sorrowful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3P0nIdaLuEjesHRMklwfoj?si=6qF7JBYpRiG0ylwuOohFwA Glorious Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3t7lCF7nFQDR3py1jjTAE1?si=hBb_5Ne5Rwu-993nUUqHqg Luminous Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vlAjEGgWPCI79K7Eylh31?si=Hue9USzkTf-L3wrXrK79MQ 15 Decade Rosary https://open.spotify.com/episode/2q33PXMrinZi6fkaV6X7vn?si=Jy_d2xLlTVihD5qa4fSH9g To follow me on other platforms Click on my LinkTree below.  linktr.ee/dylandrego  If you have any prayers you'd like to request, or comments and/or suggestions - please email me at latinprayerpodcast@gmail.com. Know that if you are listening to this, I am praying for you. Please continue to pray with me and for me and my family. May everything you do be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. God Love You! Valete (Goodbye) This podcast may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advanced the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church for the promulgation of religious education. We believe this constitutes a "fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US copyright law, and section 29, 29.1 & 29.2 of the Canadian copyright act. Music Credit: 3MDEHDDQTEJ1NBB0

Fr. Robert Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Hope in the Jubilee Year (2:32) What is a Jubilee Year? What is hope and how can we grow it during this year? (19:07) what does Saint Thomas Aquinas teach us about hope? (27:00) Break 1 What is despair and how does the will play a role in it? How do we hold onto hope when in mortal sin? (40:58) Christina - in regards to the brown scapular. is that a way to have hope? How can we grow in hope in our lives? Resources: Spe Salvi https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html Spes Non Confundit https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html

Homily by Fr. Michael Renninger

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Mark 3:31-35 - The mother of Jesus and His brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called Him. A crowd seated around Him told Him, “Your mother and Your brothers and Your sisters are outside asking for You.” But He said to them in reply, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.” Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church Saint Thomas, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Leisa Carzon, Ph.D., on her book, Sister, Soldier, Surgeon - The Life and Courage of Sister Deirdre Byrne, M.D. https://sophiainstitute.com/product/sister-soldier-surgeon/ 4) Joe Biden potentially faces excommunication after quiet induction into masonic lodge https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/joe-biden-potentially-faces-excommunication-after-quiet-induction-into-historically-black-masonic-lodge/ar-AA1xQH1c

Gospel Mark 3:31-35   The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.   Reflection When Jesus' mother and brothers appear while Jesus is teaching, it triggers in him a way of talking about what he is and what he does. He is there for everyone. He offers intimacy to everyone and everyone who believes in him and sees in him the truth and lives that truth is family, is intimately tied together. It's a beautiful way of describing what it means to be a believer.   It is an intimate relationship, stronger than any other relationship in the world.   Closing Prayer Father, we have so many divisions in the world. People that are acceptable to us. People who are not. And over and over again, Jesus reminds us of the oneness that he calls us into a union, a communion, a church, a faith based, loving community that wants nothing more than to welcome everyone. It's at the heart what it means to be a believer, to be in a loving community. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 318The Saint of the day is Saint Thomas AquinasSaint Thomas Aquinas' Story By universal consent, Thomas Aquinas is the preeminent spokesman of the Catholic tradition of reason and of divine revelation. He is one of the great teachers of the medieval Catholic Church, honored with the titles Doctor of the Church and Angelic Doctor. At five he was given to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino in his parents' hopes that he would choose that way of life and eventually became abbot. In 1239, he was sent to Naples to complete his studies. It was here that he was first attracted to Aristotle's philosophy. By 1243, Thomas abandoned his family's plans for him and joined the Dominicans, much to his mother's dismay. On her order, Thomas was captured by his brother and kept at home for over a year. Once free, he went to Paris and then to Cologne, where he finished his studies with Albert the Great. He held two professorships at Paris, lived at the court of Pope Urban IV, directed the Dominican schools at Rome and Viterbo, combated adversaries of the mendicants, as well as the Averroists, and argued with some Franciscans about Aristotelianism. His greatest contribution to the Catholic Church is his writings. The unity, harmony, and continuity of faith and reason, of revealed and natural human knowledge, pervades his writings. One might expect Thomas, as a man of the gospel, to be an ardent defender of revealed truth. But he was broad enough, deep enough, to see the whole natural order as coming from God the Creator, and to see reason as a divine gift to be highly cherished. The Summa Theologiae, his last and, unfortunately, uncompleted work, deals with the whole of Catholic theology. He stopped work on it after celebrating Mass on December 6, 1273. When asked why he stopped writing, he replied, “I cannot go on…. All that I have written seems to me like so much straw compared to what I have seen and what has been revealed to me.” He died March 7, 1274. Reflection We can look to Thomas Aquinas as a towering example of Catholicism in the sense of broadness, universality, and inclusiveness. We should be determined anew to exercise the divine gift of reason in us, our power to know, learn, and understand. At the same time we should thank God for the gift of his revelation, especially in Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas Aquinas is a Patron Saint of: Catholic Colleges and UniversitiesEducators/TeachersPhilosophers/TheologiansStudents Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Joe geeks out with colleague, Jen Finke, about G.K. Chesterton and Saint Thomas Aquinas! To buy the book, visit https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/st-thomas-aquinas/ Read a chapter online here: https://www.chesterton.org/approach-to-thomism/ Learn more from Dale Ahlquist, here: https://www.chesterton.org/lecture-67/ FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/

Join Father Kevin Drew as he preaches on this Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Today's readings First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16 Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Gospel: Matthew 23:8-12 Catholic Radio Network

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss Thomas Aquinas (3:09) Who was St. Thomas Aquinas? How did St. Thomas Aquinas debate others? (9:50) How does the intellectual mind play an important role in our Faith? Where do we see the love of God in St. Thomas Aquinas’ life? 11:19 Mary -Faith - I don't believe intellect plays into it. God above is in control of all. (20:47) Break 1 Patrick shares an email about why St. Thomas Aquinas didn’t finish the Summa Theologica? Write to us at innerlife@relevantradio.com (28:00) Mary - I read a brief overview about St. Thomas Aquinas. The Uncaused cause. argument for the existence of God. Read an article that said Thomas took it from a Muslim philosopher and got the idea from him. (33:06) Email from Bob – Where do you start with the readings of Saint Thomas Aquinas? (37:40) Break 2 (39:04) How can St. Thomas Aquinas be a companion to us today? (46:14) Anna - There's an expression of blind faith. Especially when teaching our kids. I'm a faith formation teacher. St. Thomas Aquinas is best. Any ideas to present Aquinas to kids? Resources: Thomistic Institute: Aquinas 101 https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/ Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft https://ignatius.com/practical-theology-prtp/

Today is the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas. This man is maybe the greatest theologian of all time. He had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and wrote songs about Jesus in the Eucharist. Check out this reflection for some great words from this great saint.

ROSARY - SORROWFUL MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Tuesday.

A word from a man of great learning, a humble man and prayerful man!

What advice does Thomas Aquinas have for the modern person, especially the modern parent? Have you ever felt that something might be missing in modern parenting trends, like gentle parenting? In today's episode, Father Gregory Pine introduces us to an ancient practice that has shaped children for centuries: virtue ethics. First explored by classical philosophers like Aristotle and later popularized in the Middle Ages by St. Thomas Aquinas, virtue ethics remains central to the Church's teachings on character formation. Father Pine, drawing from his deep knowledge of St. Thomas Aquinas, offers practical guidance for parents seeking to cultivate virtues like justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude in their children. Raising children to be happy and holy adults can feel daunting, but this episode is essential for empowering parents to nurture future saints. Additionally, Father Pine shares his personal journey—how he discovered his vocation and developed a passion for St. Thomas Aquinas' teachings. I hope this conversation inspires and equips you to approach parenting with a renewed perspective and practical tools.Check Out Fr Gregory's work:Aquinas 101: https://aquinas101.com/Godsplaining Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Godsplaining Join our Locals community: https://lilarose.locals.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LilaRose865A big thank to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/   Check out our Sponsors:-We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.   -Crowd Health: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ The new alternative to health insurance - sign up and use the code "LILA" for a special deal of $99 for your first 3 months!-Exodus 90: Grow spiritually, mentally, and physically with thousands of other men:  https://get.exodus90.com/lilaTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:03:43 - How did you become a Dominican?00:07:26 - Fr Gregory's love for Aquinas00:11:48 - Exodus 9000:12:45 - Special passion for Thomas Aquinas?00:14:51 - Who is Thomas Aquinas?00:16:45 - Summa Theologiae00:18:45 - Not everyone needs to be interested in Aquinas00:22:38 - What would Aquinas say to the modern woman?00:22:53 - We Heart Nutrition00:26:01 - Truths revealed in their proper ways00:32:09 - Crowd Health00:33:26 - When we love God…00:35:23 - What could mothers learn from Aquinas?00:42:35 - We are made human (aka limited)00:44:48 - Courage00:46:04 - God loves us weird00:53:20 - Motherhood and Emotions00:57:35 - Is all yelling bad?00:58:49 - innocence of emotion01:04:33 - Modern man is haunted…01:07:18 - Aquinas' advice for moms01:10:12 - The Lord doesn't want women's hearts divided01:13:12 - Virtues summarized01:16:33 - Teaching children prudence01:21:31 - St Edith Stein and ‘Coaching” others01:25:39 - Aquinas 101 Platform

Full Text of ReadingsTuesday after Epiphany Lectionary: 213The Saint of the day is Saint Raymond of PeafortSaint Raymond of Peñafort's Story Since Raymond lived into his hundredth year, he had a chance to do many things. As a member of the Spanish nobility, he had the resources and the education to get a good start in life. By the time he was 20, he was teaching philosophy. In his early 30s he earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. At 41 he became a Dominican. Pope Gregory IX called him to Rome to work for him and to be his confessor. One of the things the pope asked him to do was to gather together all the decrees of popes and councils that had been made in 80 years since a similar collection by Gratian. Raymond compiled five books called the Decretals. They were looked upon as one of the best organized collections of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law. Earlier, Raymond had written for confessors a book of cases. It was called Summa de Casibus Poenitentiae. More than simply a list of sins and penances, it discussed pertinent doctrines and laws of the Church that pertained to the problem or case brought to the confessor. At the age of 60, Raymond was appointed archbishop of Tarragona, the capital of Aragon. He didn't like the honor at all and ended up getting sick and resigning in two years. He didn't get to enjoy his peace long, however, because when he was 63 he was elected by his fellow Dominicans to be the head of the whole Order, the successor of Saint Dominic. Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominicans, reorganized their constitutions and managed to put through a provision that a master general be allowed to resign. When the new constitutions were accepted, Raymond, then 65, resigned. He still had 35 years to oppose heresy and work for the conversion of the Moors in Spain. He convinced Saint Thomas Aquinas to write his work Against the Gentiles. In his 100th year, the Lord let Raymond retire. Reflection Raymond was a lawyer, a canonist. Legalism can suck the life out of genuine religion if it becomes too great a preoccupation with the letter of the law to the neglect of the spirit and purpose of the law. The law can become an end in itself, so that the value the law was intended to promote is overlooked. But we must guard against going to the opposite extreme and seeing law as useless or something to be lightly regarded. Laws ideally state those things that are for the best interests of everyone and make sure the rights of all are safeguarded. From Raymond, we can learn a respect for law as a means of serving the common good. Saint Raymond of Peñafort is a Patron Saint of: Lawyers Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This is our unabridged interview with The Hillbilly Thomists.There aren't many Billboard-charting bluegrass bands made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars, who play their shows clad in white tunics and rosaries. In fact, there is precisely one such band: the Hillbilly Thomists. “A Thomist is someone who follows the thought and theological teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas,” they explain. “We combine it with a little bit of humor about our human condition.” In this episode, they talk about their theology and vocation, as well as how they manage life on the road as priests who have taken a vow of poverty. Plus, they give live performances of some of their finest songs. Show Notes Resources mentioned this episode: The Hillbilly Thomists' Website Similar NSE episodes: N.T. Wright and the Bancroft Brothers: Theology and Poetry Edith Hall: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life Drew Holcomb: Fighting Dragons and Singing at Loss PDF of Lee's Interview Notes Transcript of Abridged Episode Want more NSE? JOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and discounts on live shows Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

There aren't many Billboard-charting bluegrass bands made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars, who play their shows clad in white tunics and rosaries. In fact, there is precisely one such band: the Hillbilly Thomists. “A Thomist is someone who follows the thought and theological teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas,” they explain. “We combine it with a little bit of humor about our human condition.” In this episode, they talk about their theology and vocation, as well as how they manage life on the road as priests who have taken a vow of poverty. Plus, they give live performances of some of their finest songs. Show Notes Resources mentioned this episode: The Hillbilly Thomists' Website Similar NSE episodes: N.T. Wright and the Bancroft Brothers: Theology and Poetry Edith Hall: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life Drew Holcomb: Fighting Dragons and Singing at Loss PDF of Lee's Interview Notes Transcription Link Want more NSE? JOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and discounts on live shows Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Join me as I begin the Dominican meditations on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Rooted in the tradition passed down from Saint Dominic, these reflections offer unique insights from Dominican saints like Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Catherine of Siena. Use these meditations to deepen your prayer, pausing after each one to pray your decade, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rosary through the lens of Dominican spirituality. The Latin Prayer Podcast is on Patreon -  for those of you who are able to financially support the podcast please Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/thelatinprayerpodcast). A huge thank you to my patrons! To Support FishEaters.com Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/fisheaters) Please check out our Resources, Gift Ideas & Affiliate Links page: https://dylandrego.podbean.com/p/resources-gift-ideas-affiliate-links Join me and others in praying the Holy Rosary every day; here are the Spotify quick links to the Rosary: Joyful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yhnGJNSl67psg94j3si3s?si=7IjqIg2wQQaZTJTiDm-Dhw Sorrowful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3P0nIdaLuEjesHRMklwfoj?si=6qF7JBYpRiG0ylwuOohFwA Glorious Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3t7lCF7nFQDR3py1jjTAE1?si=hBb_5Ne5Rwu-993nUUqHqg Luminous Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vlAjEGgWPCI79K7Eylh31?si=Hue9USzkTf-L3wrXrK79MQ 15 Decade Rosary https://open.spotify.com/episode/2q33PXMrinZi6fkaV6X7vn?si=Jy_d2xLlTVihD5qa4fSH9g To follow me on other platforms Click on my LinkTree below. linktr.ee/dylandrego If you have any prayers you'd like to request, or comments and/or suggestions - please email me at latinprayerpodcast@gmail.com. Know that if you are listening to this, I am praying for you. Please continue to pray with me and for me and my family. May everything you do be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. God Love You! Valete (Goodbye) This podcast may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advanced the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church for the promulgation of religious education. We believe this constitutes a "fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US copyright law, and section 29, 29.1 & 29.2 of the Canadian copyright act. Music Credit: 3MDEHDDQTEJ1NBB0

Read OnlineJesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”  John 6:67–69These words of Saint Peter present us with the conviction we must have when fidelity to the will of God becomes difficult. God is demanding. He wants everything from us. We will only obtain Heaven once we surrender everything over to the will of the Father and believe all that He has revealed. If we fail to do so before we die, we will need to be purified in Purgatory. There is no way around this. God is a demanding God to the greatest extent possible.The truth is that this is all good. It is good that God demands complete submission to His perfect will and teaching because these are exactly what is best for us. From time to time, because of our weak and fallen human nature, we can perceive God's will as too demanding and His teaching as too difficult. Do I really have to forgive everyone completely? Do I really have to lay my life down without reserve? Do I really have to keep the Commandments to perfection? Do I really have to be perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect? Yes. But as we try to do so, we will experience many temptations to give up, thinking that God's will is too hard.Today's Gospel comes at the end of the beautiful Bread of Life Discourse in which our Lord taught clearly, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” At the beginning of today's Gospel, upon listening to Jesus' new teaching, many of His disciples murmured among themselves saying, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” This teaching of Jesus is “hard” in the sense that it requires a profound faith to understand completely. But just because something is hard to accept does not mean that we should not accept it.Peter's statement quoted above gives us the words we should say whenever we find God's will or His teaching difficult to accept. When that happens, we must hear Jesus ask us the same question He asked the Twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” Jesus will not try to manipulate us. He will not back down when He sees we are struggling. He will not lessen the requirement of being His faithful follower. Instead, He will give us the freedom to either believe or leave. And when we feel like leaving, we should always remember Peter's words, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”Peter's statement says all we need to know in the face of any interior conflict of faith. Sure, we could leave our Lord and do our own thing. But where would we go? To embrace the passing pleasures of the world? To what end? If we believe and are convinced that Jesus is the Holy One of God, then no matter how hard, no matter how demanding, no matter how difficult, we must embrace fidelity to God in all things. That act of fidelity, especially when we struggle with some interior conflict, is the key to unlocking the transforming power of God in our lives.Reflect, today, upon any ways that you have felt God's will or any of His revealed truths to be difficult and demanding. When you face such an interior challenge, what do you do? If your response is to turn from God and become lax in your fidelity to Him, then reflect upon Peter's words to Jesus. Make those words your prayer, and let that prayer strengthen your conviction to become an unwavering and faithful follower of God.My demanding Lord, in Your great love and mercy You require everything of me. You ask me to give You my life in total surrender and service of Your perfect will. When I am weak, give me strength. When I doubt, give me faith. Help me, Lord, to always deepen my resolve and to follow You with complete fidelity. 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: Jesus in glory with apostles by Edouard Amedee Didron, stained glass window in Saint Thomas Aquinas in Paris, France, via Adobe Stock

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3) Seven teachings on hell from Saint Thomas Aquinas https://blog.adw.org/2020/06/seven-teachings-on-hell-from-st-thomas-aquinas/ 4) Saint Faustina's vision of hell: "I, Sister Faustina Kowalska, by the order of God, have visited the Abysses of Hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence...the devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God, What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw. But I noticed one thing: That most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell." Indescribable Sufferings: "There are special Tortures destined for particular souls. These are the torments of the senses. Each soul undergoes terrible and indescribable sufferings related to the manner in which it has sinned."

Read OnlineThen Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 16:22–23What a shocking statement this must have been that was spoken by Jesus to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus said. In the paragraph before this, Peter professed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus in turn told Peter that he was Petros and on this petra He would build His Church. Petros is the Greek word for a movable rock and petra was an immovable solid rock foundation. Thus, Peter was told that he would be the stone, set upon a solid foundation, by which Jesus would build His Church. Jesus even went on to promise Peter that he would receive the keys to the Kingdom and that whatever he bound on earth would be bound in Heaven. And then, one paragraph later, Jesus rebukes Peter for thinking “not as God” but as a human being.Jesus rebuked Peter because Peter could not accept Jesus' teaching about His coming passion and death. Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that He would soon suffer greatly, be rejected by the chief priest, the scribes and the elders, be killed and then rise on the third day. So Peter went from a profound proclamation of faith, to fear and a rejection of the divine plan of salvation. And for that reason, Jesus went from entrusting much authority to Peter to rebuking him for his weakness and fear.Fear is often a paralyzing passion. Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that the passion of fear comes from a perceived future evil. Sorrow is the normal reaction to a present suffering such as the death of a loved one. But when the perceived suffering, or apparent evil, is something that has not yet come, then we often react with fear. When that fear is caused by something exterior and out of our control, it tempts us to feel shock, a sense of being overwhelmed and anxiety. In the case of Peter, the thought of Jesus suffering greatly, and being killed, was more than he was able to accept. So Peter says, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Jesus' rebuke of Peter was an act of true love. It was a way of shaking him free from the paralysis of fear. Jesus wanted Peter to think clearly and to face this future suffering with courage, acceptance, hope and faith. Courage provides strength. Acceptance cures anxiety. Hope produces joy. And faith is the remedy for all fear. These and other similar virtues were necessary if Peter and the other disciples were going to be able to endure the suffering and passion of Jesus. They needed to know that this perceived evil was going to be transformed by the Father in Heaven and used for the greatest good the world had ever known. They needed to know that Jesus “must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly…” It was the Father's will. And because it was the Father's will, the greatest good would come from the greatest evil because of God's almighty power. Reflect, today, upon that which causes you the most fear and anxiety in your life. When you look to the future, what is it that paralyzes you or at least tempts you to fear and worry? The truth is that any evil or suffering that you foresee has the potential to bring forth the greatest good in your life. Your natural human mind cannot discern this. We must strive to think as God, not as humans, as Jesus says. Try to look at anything that causes you anxiety through the eyes of God alone. Trust that, in faith, all can be used by God for good. Do not doubt but believe and God will begin to bestow upon you the many virtues you need to move forward with peace, courage and confidence. My suffering Lord, You faced the evil You endured with the utmost courage and love. You never gave in to fear but pressed on, fulfilling the Father's will. Give me the grace I need to share in Your strength so as to overcome all that tempts me to fear. I love You, my Lord. May I rely upon You for all things. 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: The Rebuking or Calling of Saint Peter, via Wikimedia Commons