All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri

Jesus Never Said, "Be True to Yourself"

March 3rd, 2020  |  24 mins 52 secs

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Society preaches three seemingly innocent phrases: “Be true to yourself;” “You be you;” and “You do you.” They all communicate the same philosophy: everyone should unapologetically do what he or she wants, because that’s the path to freedom. Dr. Sri argues how much more freeing and incredible it is to follow the call of the Christian Gospel, which shows us how we are most true to ourselves when we die to ourselves and “put on Christ.”

For full episode resources, text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777

Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Me

February 25th, 2020  |  16 mins 18 secs

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A device of torture, shame, and suffering, the image of the cross struck fear into the hearts of first century Jews. Against this backdrop, Jesus tells his disciples, “Pick up your cross and follow me.” And he doesn’t just say to pick it up once; he says we must do this daily if we want to be his disciples.

To pick up our cross, we must accept and embrace the sufferings that God has allowed in our lives, knowing that they can sanctify us. It's not easy, but the paradox is that we will find joy by picking up our cross and following the savior who took up his own cross for our sake.

For full episode shownotes, text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

3 Essential Practices for the Lenten Season

February 18th, 2020  |  24 mins 54 secs

ash wednesday, catholic lent, catholic lenten, catholic lenten season, catholics, lent, lenten, lenten journal, lenten practices, lenten reflections, lenten season, reflections for lent

What are the three essential practices that all Catholics are called to embrace during the Lenten Season? What does the desert have to do with these practices?

This Lenten season, let's commit wholeheartedly to the three disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. By doing so, we go into the desert of our hearts to encounter our Lord and hear his spirit prompting, challenging, and encouraging us.

Peace in the Present Moment

February 11th, 2020  |  21 mins 5 secs

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Peace in the present moment doesn’t come easily. It’s part of human nature to fixate on disappointments of the past, and if we’re honest, the self-talk can be brutal: “How could I ever have said that?” “Why did I make that horrible mistake?” “Will everyone remember me for this?” Worries about the future can be overwhelming, too: “Will everything turn out OK with this relationship?” “What if I make the wrong choice?” “What if we don’t have enough?”

Today’s episode focuses on how to gain peace by inviting Christ’s presence into all these moments of anxiety. By totally surrendering and entrusting your past, present, and future to the Lord, you can rest in his love, here in the present moment.

Candlemas and the Glory of the Lord

February 4th, 2020  |  16 mins 25 secs

On Candlemas, Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus and bless the candles that will be used in the Church's liturgical life throughout the following year. Reflecting on the prophesy of Simeon that we read in Scripture on this great feast, Dr. Sri explains how Jesus’ Presentation marks a climactic moment in all of Salvation History.

Today’s episode draws amazing connections between God’s “glory” in the Old Testament, Jesus’ incarnation in the New Testament, and Christ’s continued real presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Stand Up for Truth

January 28th, 2020  |  18 mins 58 secs

apologetics, courage, fear, moral confusion, pontius pilate, relativism, stand up for truth, truth

Pontius Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he didn’t have the courage to stand up for truth. So, he allowed Jesus to be crucified. While literal crucifixions don’t happen today (at least not in our society), that’s figuratively what happens when we don’t stand up for truth—people suffer.

Standing up for truth is often incredibly uncomfortable, especially when we’re facing today’s hot-button issues. But Jesus tells us that the truth will set us free. Only by trusting in that promise will we find the courage and the fortitude to do what’s right—and say what’s true—in the face of criticism.

“I Thirst”: God’s Infinite Longing for Your Love

January 21st, 2020  |  18 mins 25 secs

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St. Mother Teresa’s chapel was bare, austere, and simple, yet two simple words were written on the wall where a large crucifix hung: “I thirst.” What do you think these two words meant to Mother Teresa? Is this phrase simply a statement of God’s collective love for mankind, or did Mother Teresa understand it to mean more than that?

Live with Fr. Josh Johnson: All about Adoration

January 14th, 2020  |  21 mins 47 secs

We know that spending time in Eucharistic Adoration is an incredible thing, but it’s so easy to get distracted! When it comes to the practicals, should you sit, stand or kneel? Should you read a spiritual book or write in your journal? What kinds of things should you pray about? How can you listen better and actually hear God’s voice?

We know that spending time in Eucharistic Adoration is an incredible thing, but it’s so easy to get distracted! And when it comes to the practicals, should you sit, stand or kneel? Should you read a spiritual book or write in your journal? What kinds of things should you pray about? How can you listen better and actually hear God’s voice?

Father Josh Johnson joins me live at the SLS20 FOCUS conference in Phoenix to share helpful advice on how exactly to spend your time in Eucharistic Adoration. In this conversation, Father Josh shares insights from his own Adoration experiences, the writings of the Saints, Church tradition, and Holy Scriptures that will help you focus on the face of our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.

Live with Father Mike Schmitz on Discerning God’s Will

January 7th, 2020  |  23 mins 51 secs

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In this special live interview, Father Mike Schmitz identifies the major barrier to decision-making that he sees plague so many Catholics: the fear of making the wrong choice and disappointing God. This fear might keep someone from making a major vocational step of discernment, (e.g. entering the seminary or proposing), or it could keep someone from making other types of life decisions, (e.g. starting a Bible study or sending their kids to a new school). Father and I talk about this paralyzing tendency and share observations, insights, and practical steps to help you peacefully move forward in following God’s will for your life.

Today’s episode was recorded last week at the FOCUS SLS Student Leadership Conference in Phoenix Arizona. Thank you for all your prayers during this incredible, life-giving week spent with so many amazing young people who are on fire for the Lord!

Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love

December 31st, 2019  |  22 mins 31 secs

catholic marriage, catholic relationships, christian love, christian marriage, christian relationships, love, romance, theology of the body, true love

How do you know if you truly love someone? Is it when you have a powerful romance with intense feelings? Is it simply a deep desire to be with a certain person? St. Pope John Paul II reveals THE indicator of true love for another: a profound sense of responsibility to care for their heart.

Today’s episode of All Things Catholic examines that reality through the lens of Adam and Eve’s relationship before the Fall, giving you keys to understand how this mystery of love can unfold in your own life.

A Christmas Greeting From Dr. Edward Sri

December 24th, 2019  |  3 mins 18 secs

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Merry Christmas from Dr. Sri and the Ascension team! We're taking a break from our regular recording schedule to celebrate this beautiful Christmas octave, but if you're looking for some extra spiritual and theological enrichment, we encourage you to check out Episode 62 from the All Things Catholic Archives: "Christmas Through Jewish Eyes."

Please pray for me as I join Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sister Miriam, and other Catholic speakers at the FOCUS SLS Conference. Please pray that the Lord guides our words as we speak to thousands of Catholics and Christian young adults, and that the Holy Spirit guides their hearts into a deeper union with him.

Resources
FOCUS SLS 2020 Conference
SLS 2020 Live Streaming on Facebook

O Come O Come Emmanuel

December 17th, 2019  |  17 mins 50 secs

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As Christmas draws closer, the Gospel readings focus on the Gospel of Matthew, which begins with something seemingly mundane—the genealogy of Christ. Why does Matthew start his Gospel with a genealogy? If you look at it from the point of view of a first century Jew, it’s completely captivating. These names reveal a lot about the history of God’s chosen people, and builds up to reveal the identity of the new king and Emmanuel, God with us.

A Different Way to Think About the Immaculate Conception

December 10th, 2019  |  18 mins 36 secs

advent, biblical roots, immaculate conception, marian dogma, marian theology, mary, theology

Do you put Mary on such a pedestal that you feel like you can’t relate to her at all? As we celebrate the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dr. Sri explains the beauty of God’s choice to create Mary without sin and offers several practical ways you can seek Mary’s help in your own quest for holiness.

Ten Family Advent Traditions to Try This Year

December 3rd, 2019  |  26 mins 53 secs

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From assigning secret “Advent Angels” to your family members to a Las Posadas door-to-door procession and celebration, these ten meaningful Advent traditions will bring your whole family together to experience the joyful anticipation of this liturgical season.

How To Make Room for Jesus this Advent

November 26th, 2019  |  18 mins 37 secs

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When Thanksgiving is over, it’s all too easy to jump into the chaos of December, and Advent takes a backseat to the busyness of the season. How do we avoid that frantic pace and actually make room for Jesus in our hearts this year? Dr. Edward Sri explains how this Advent, the Lord has special graces for each of us, if only we make space for him in our lives.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer

November 19th, 2019  |  24 mins 8 secs

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Sometimes we think our intercession for others will work only if we say enough prayers or say the right ones, but the power of intercessory prayer lies in the love we put into the prayer and the love of our God who hears them.