A recent article in a secular magazine decried the "weaponization" of the Rosary - but it has always been a weapon in the spiritual realm! As we approach October (the month of the Rosary), what makes it so powerful? It has overcome armies, liberated people from sins and addictions, given comfort and hope to millions. The Rosary is more than just a tacky car decoration or a way to pass the time - it is an untapped spiritual power which can unleash enough grace to change the world!

This weekend's Gospel features the mysterious parable of the Dishonest Steward. Is Jesus praising dishonesty? Quite the contrary! He is praising a man who is trying to right his wrongs, to finally live in integrity. Integrity is a virtue needed by all Christians - to live authentic lives, penetrated fully by the Gospel. Tune in to hear the awesome spiritual gifts that God has in store for those Christians who live lives of integrity!

All of us are the Lost Sheep; all of us are the Prodigal Son. No matter how good we may be, we fall short of the ideal of life-in-Christ. But the Lord, knowing our weakness, provides a simple remedy to bring us back to spiritual health, increase our holiness, and shower His mercy: the Sacrament of Confession. Although Confession has fallen out of favor in recent decades, there are six main benefits to participating in it - tune in to hear why Confession is a benefit to ALL of us!

Our lives are often a mess. All of us struggle with something - addictions, loneliness, illness, sin. It can be discouraging - why does God allow such suffering? Because it gives Him an opportunity to shower His Mercy upon us all! His mercy is greater than our struggles and can transform the darkest hours (such as the Cross) into His glory - all we need to do is trust in such lavish mercy!

So often, our acts of kindness, our generous donations, are tainted with self-love. We give to others, but secretly desire thanks or recognition. But Jesus urges us to give secretly, so that our Heavenly Father alone knows our good deeds - and He lives out that perfect example in His lifetime.

God invites all to be saved, but still gives us the freedom to accept or reject His offer. Many of us believe that everyone goes to Heaven when they die, but that is not the testimony of the Scriptures, the saints, and the Lord Himself. This life matters, because through it we choose our eternal destiny - but thankfully God has given us every spiritual help needed to choose Heaven!

Some see the world as created by God, with Him as the center of all things. Others see mankind as the ruler of the universe - with enough progress, we will become masters of everything. These competing visions cause di-vision, a division that Christ warns us against in the Gospel. In a world full of lies, truth is controversial. But standing for truth - as Jesus is Truth Itself - often costs a great deal. Nevertheless, it is greater to stand for Truth than to live comfortably by lies.

Every human being is searching for their identity. Who are they? Where do they fit into this world? We find our identity in our talents (the athlete, the smart one, the funny one), our jobs (the accountant, the truck driver), our bank accounts, our physique, or any number of other external factors. But who does GOD say that we are? Let's dive into six Scripture verses which reveal to us an identity that is deeper, richer, joyful, and unshakeable!

Most Americans live comfortable lifestyles - we have everything we need, and most of what we want. But when we spend our money on self-indulgent luxuries, we gain no long-term benefit. However, we can eternally profit from our money by giving it away, thereby storing up riches in Heaven...and the Bible gives us a good template for how to do that!

Sometimes well-meaning people will say, "Everything happens for a reason." But when tragedy or struggles or suffering comes, we want to know what that reason is - especially when it seems like God is silent and does not respond to our prayers! But the reason for it all is very simple: everything God does is for our sanctification, to make us saints. Even the difficult times, when it seems like God isn't listening to our prayers, can be used for our holiness.