Welcome back to Catholic Girl on the Radio! I'm your host, Rita S. Colley, and today we’re diving deep into Luke Chapter 15—the powerful parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son—and how they reveal God’s relentless pursuit of our hearts.

In this episode, we reflect on St. Ambrose’s profound commentary, exploring how faith is the true treasure of the soul and why Christ's love is so personal, so transformative, and so healing. We'll unpack the symbolism of the shepherd, the woman, and the father—and discover how each represents a unique aspect of God's redemptive work through Christ, the Church, and the Father.

💬 Topics Covered:

• Why Christ rejoices over one sinner who repents

• How St. Ambrose compares faith to a lost silver coin

• The spiritual meaning of "lighting the lamp" and "sweeping the house"

• How suffering and redemption are deeply intertwined

• Why you are of infinite value—and how the angels rejoice over your return

• The Church’s role in seeking out the lost

• What it means to be carried on the “shoulders of Christ”

🔔 If this episode moved you, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share. And leave your thoughts or questions below or message me directly at The Word with Rita!

📖 "He meets you on the way and embraces you... You might expect punishment, but He gives you a kiss." — St. Ambrose

🔥 "Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more is from the evil one." – Matthew 5:37

In this eye-opening episode of Catholic Girl on the Radio, Rita dives into Jesus’ radical command against swearing oaths, unpacking the wisdom of St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and Cornelius à Lapide. Discover why Christ calls us to absolute truthfulness—and how modern culture’s casual use of oaths (even "I swear to God!") violates this sacred teaching.

📖 You’ll Learn:

• Why swearing oaths was permitted in the Old Testament—but forbidden for Christians.

• The danger of "little lies" and how they erode trust in God and others.

• How St. Augustine explains the Apostles’ "oaths" (like Paul’s "God is my witness") without hypocrisy.

• St. John Chrysostom’s fiery take: Why swearing is now "of the evil one"—and how to break the habit.

• Cornelius à Lapide’s defense of lawful oaths in court—but why they should be rare and reverent.

• Practical steps to purify your speech and live with Gospel integrity in a world of deception.

💡 Hard Truths You Need to Hear:

• "If you don’t swear at all, you can’t swear falsely." – St. Augustine

• "Swearing is like breastfeeding—good for spiritual infants, but childish for mature Christians." – St. John Chrysostom

• "Every time you swear by heaven, earth, or your head, you invoke GOD as your witness—whether you realize it or not."

🔍 Perfect for you if:

• You’ve ever said "I swear to God!" without thinking.

• You struggle with white lies or exaggeration.

• You want to speak with Christ-like honesty in a culture of spin and deception.

✝️ "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." – Matthew 12:34

💬 Let’s discuss! Comment below:

• How do you strive for truthfulness in daily speech?

• Have you ever caught yourself swearing casually? How did you break the habit?

🔔 Subscribe for more hard-hitting Scripture studies from the Early Church Fathers!
📩 Follow Rita: @TheWordWithRita

#NoSwearing #ChristianIntegrity #Matthew5 #CatholicTruth #EarlyChurchFathers #StAugustine #StJohnChrysostom #BibleStudy #CatholicTeachings

"Truth is not a virtue—it’s a LIFESTYLE."

Thanks for listening! See you in the next episode. 🙏✨

🔥 "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away..." – Matthew 5:29

In this powerful episode of Catholic Girl on the Radio, Rita breaks down Jesus’ radical teachings on lust, adultery, and divorce through the lens of St. John Chrysostom, one of the Church’s greatest preachers. Discover why Christ calls us to guard our hearts—not just our actions—and how His words challenge modern culture’s view of love, marriage, and purity.

📖 Key Takeaways:

• Why lust isn’t just a feeling—it’s a deliberate choice that corrupts the soul (and how to resist it).

• The "wild beast of desire"—how unchecked thoughts lead to spiritual destruction.

• Divorce & remarriage: What Christ really taught (and the one exception He allows).

• How pornography and self-indulgence violate Christ’s command to "pluck out" sin.

• Why charity demands modesty—not just for ourselves, but for others’ salvation.

• St. John’s shocking analogy: "If a child holds a knife, we scold him—so why does God forbid lust? To protect us."

💡 Hard Truths You Need to Hear:

• "Your enemy serves God’s purpose in your sanctification."

• "We must answer not only for our own sins, but for those we could have prevented."

• "Even ‘good intentions’ must be cut off if they lead to sin."

🔍 Perfect for you if:

• You struggle with lust, addiction, or impure thoughts.

• You’ve wondered what the Church really teaches about divorce.

• You want to live purity radically in a hypersexualized world.

✝️ "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." – Matthew 5:8

💬 Let’s discuss! Comment below:

• How do you guard your heart in today’s culture?

• What part of this teaching challenged you the most?

🔔 Subscribe for more hard-hitting Scripture breakdowns from the Early Church Fathers!
📩 Follow Rita: @TheWordWithRita

#CatholicTeaching #Purity #Matthew5 #StJohnChrysostom #ChristianMarriage #NoFap #Divorce #CatholicRadio #BibleStudy

"Love is not just words—it’s deeds." – St. John Chrysostom

Thanks for listening! See you in the next episode. 🙏✨

S2 Ep 79| Matthew 5:13-16

📖 "No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." – 1 John 4:12

In this episode of Catholic Girl on the Radio, Rita dives deep into St. Augustine’s profound commentary on what it truly means to see God and the transformative power of love. Augustine challenges us to move beyond physical perceptions of God and instead purify our hearts to encounter Him spiritually.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why God cannot be seen with physical eyes—but only with the heart.

• How love has no physical form, yet it acts through us (feet, hands, eyes, and ears of the soul).

• The difference between worldly love (pride-driven) and true charity (God-centered).

• Why loving our enemies is essential—and how they unknowingly aid in our sanctification.

• St. Augustine’s radical view: "Your enemy serves God’s purpose in your holiness."

🔥 This teaching will challenge and inspire you to examine the motives behind your actions—are they rooted in love or pride? Discover how to live charity authentically, even in the face of persecution.

🔔 Subscribe for more timeless wisdom from the Early Church Fathers!
📩 Let me know in the comments: How do you strive to see God in your daily life?

#CatholicTeaching #StAugustine #ChristianLove #SpiritualGrowth #BibleCommentary #FaithJourney #CatholicRadio

💬 Follow Rita: @TheWordWithRita

"Love is sweet in words, but sweeter in deeds." – St. Augustine

Thanks for watching! See you in the next episode. 🙏✨

Discovering St. Augustine's Teachings: John 14:1-6 Explained | Catholic Girl on the RadioIn this episode of Catholic Girl on the Radio, your host Rita Colleen delves into John 14:1-6, interpreting the Gospel of St. John in modern-day English. She shares insightful reflections from St. Augustine on faith, the nature of God's kingdom, and the concept of divine preparation. Through prayer and Saint Augustine's wisdom, listeners are encouraged to deepen their understanding of Christ's teachings and discover how to embrace their spiritual journey. Tune in for a profound exploration of the early church writings and how they apply to our lives today.00:00 Welcome to Catholic Girl on the Radio00:05 Exploring John 14:1-601:04 A Prayer for Guidance01:33 Introduction to Saint Augustine01:57 Understanding Jesus' Comforting Words03:37 The Promise of Eternal Life05:29 The Role of Faith and Holiness07:26 The Concept of Many Mansions13:28 Predestination and Preparation16:46 The Kingdom of God and Our Role20:55 Inheriting the Kingdom21:10 Transforming Today for Miracles21:48 Faith and Receiving God's Grace23:39 Purification and Preparation24:40 Living by Faith, Not by Sight27:13 Daily Opportunities for Spiritual Growth30:05 Understanding Jesus' Teachings32:06 The Profound Nature of Faith37:42 Christ's Presence and the Eucharist41:23 Final Reflections and Farewell

Rita discussed the Gospel of Saint Matthew, emphasizing the courage and dedication of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who witnessed Jesus' resurrection, and the importance of spiritual growth and the dangers of being enslaved to worldly adornments. She also highlighted the potential for vanity and pride when seeking affirmation from people rather than healing from God, and the spiritual harm of wearing gold and other ornaments in a church setting. Lastly, Rita stressed the importance of humility and virtue in one's spiritual life, emphasizing that excessive attachment to material possessions can hinder one's relationship with God.

00:00 Mary Magdalene's Courageous Witness

08:35 Spiritual Growth vs. Worldly Adornments

14:04 Rita's Discussion on Gold Ornaments

17:31 Humility and Virtue in Spiritual Life

Welcome back to Catholic Girl on the Radio, today we're diving deep into the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verses 40–53. This powerful passage captures the growing tension surrounding Jesus as the crowds wrestle with His identity. Is He the Prophet? The Christ? Can anything good come from Galilee?

Through the lens of the Early Church Fathers, we explore how pride, assumption, and superficial judgment can blind us from recognizing the Messiah in our midst. With raw honesty, prayer, and personal reflection, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and reveal where we, too, might be missing the truth of Christ.

In this episode, we feature the timeless wisdom of:
✨ St. John Chrysostom – on how the crowd's confusion mirrored our own tendencies to resist truth when it's inconvenient.
✨ St. Cyril of Alexandria – unpacking how misinterpretations of prophecy clouded the people’s understanding of Jesus’ true origins.
✨ St. Augustine – reflecting on mercy, judgment, and that unforgettable encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.

Grab your Bible, bring your heart, and let's ask together: are we truly seeking the Messiah, or are we still clinging to our own expectations?

Follow Rita on Instagram @thewordwithrita and join the conversation.

Join Rita Saikali on Catholic Girl on the Radio for a deep dive into Luke 4:24-30, where Jesus shocks His hometown by declaring, “No prophet is accepted in his native place.” Discover why faith—not familiarity—unlocks God’s miracles, and learn how pride blinds us to divine blessings (even when they’re right in front of us!).

Rita breaks down Early Church Fathers’ commentaries (Cornelius a Lapide, St. Ambrose, St. Bede) to reveal timeless truths about humility, trust, and God’s authority. Whether you’re facing rejection, doubt, or life’s cliffs, this episode will challenge you to let Jesus take control—because He’s always in charge, even when chaos reigns.

⏳ SMART CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Gospel of Saint Luke Discussion
Why Nazareth tried to KILL Jesus—and what it teaches us about pride vs. faith.

04:35 – Faith and Miracles in Jesus’ Life
How unbelief blocks blessings (and why Gentiles like Naaman received miracles over God’s people).

07:54 – Demonstrating Faith Through Actions and Love
Is Jesus just a “crucifix on the wall”? Rita’s raw take on living faith vs. empty tradition.

10:05 – Recognizing God’s Blessings in Challenging Situations
Why your pain might be hiding a miracle (hint: God’s timing > your plans).

13:08 – Saint Bede’s Commentary on Saint Luke
“They acted worse than the devil”—St. Bede’s fiery take on rejecting Christ.

16:39 – Jesus’ Escape and Divine Power
How He walked through an angry mob (spoiler: He’s GOD—He’s always in control).

🙏 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE if this study strengthened your faith! Let us know in the comments: Have YOU ever felt God’s presence in a “rejection” moment?

🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Catholic Girl on the Radio!

📲 FOLLOW RITA:
Instagram: @TheWordWithRita
Website: www.CatholicGirlOnTheRadio.com

Rita discussed various biblical passages and their interpretations, focusing on themes of repentance, spiritual growth, and symbolism. She explored the parables and stories from the Gospels, emphasizing the importance of bearing spiritual fruit and the role of Christ in nurturing believers. Throughout the discussion, Rita drew connections between biblical narratives and their relevance to personal faith and the broader context of religious history.

00:00 Gospel of St. Luke: Repentance and Cultivation

04:33 Gospel of Saint Mark Symbolism

09:32 Purification, Sanctification, and Justification Explained

14:14 Jesus Heals the Bent Woman

19:38 Christ's Role in Spiritual Growth

22:00 Fig Tree Symbolism in the Bible