Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden

By Exodus 90

Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well. Amid the ceaseless distractions and allurements of materialism, God ca... more

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How many episodes does Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden have?

The podcast currently has 78 episodes available.

Best of Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Episode 30: Foresight and Providence
In this episode of Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden explores the theme of possession and trust through the story of a gardener who learns the importance of relying on God rather than hoarding wealth. The conversation delves into the nature of work, discernment, and the spiritual implications of our choices regarding possessions. Bishop Varden explains how the gardener's journey from hoarding to repentance illustrates the transformative power of faith and the call to live in community and trust in divine providence. ________ Join Saint Michael’s Lent starting August 15 on the Exodus 90 app for a 40-day spiritual devotion. Go to exodus90.com to learn more! Visit Desertfathers.com to join our email newsletter for updates and reflections. ________ We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is... • 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com. • 🎥 ...produced by EWTN • 🎙️ ...edited and supported by Saint Kolbe Studios • 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today _________ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Desert Fathers and Possession 01:26 The Gardener's Tale: Trust and Providence 08:39 Lessons from the Gardener's Experience ________ Tags: Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden, trust, providence, possessions, spiritual growth, Christian life, almsgiving, discernment, work ethics
July 22, 202514min
Number 2: Episode 31: Gold
In this episode of Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden, Bishop Varden explores the teachings of the Desert Fathers on the theme of possessing nothing, emphasizing the dangers of materialism and the importance of generosity. Bishop Varden delves into the complexities of need and the spiritual challenges posed by wealth, illustrated through a parable about a wealthy donor and the monks of Scetis. The episode concludes with reflections on humility and the true purpose of giving. ________ Join Saint Michael’s Lent starting August 15 on the Exodus 90 app for a 40-day spiritual devotion. Go to exodus90.com to learn more! Visit Desertfathers.com to join our email newsletter for updates and reflections. ________ We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is... • 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com. • 🎥 ...produced by EWTN • 🎙️ ...edited and supported by Saint Kolbe Studios • 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today _________ Chapters 00:00 Possessing Nothing: The Teachings of the Desert Fathers 01:48 The Challenge of Generosity and Need 08:44 Reflections on Wealth and Humility _________ Tags: Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden, trust, providence, possessions, spiritual growth, Christian life, almsgiving, discernment, work ethics
July 29, 202512min
Number 3: Episode 32: Philosophy
In this episode, Bishop Erik Varden reflects on the virtue of fortitude as taught by the Desert Fathers, emphasizing the importance of enduring hardship in the pursuit of wisdom. The conversation explores how ancient wisdom can guide modern challenges. The episode concludes with a call to live logically and in alignment with the teachings of Christ, drawing inspiration from the lives of early Christian monks. __________ Join Saint Michael’s Lent starting August 15 on the Exodus 90 app for a 40-day spiritual devotion. Go to exodus90.com to learn more! Visit Desertfathers.com to join our email newsletter for updates and reflections. __________ We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is... • 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com. • 🎥 ...produced by EWTN • 🎙️ ...edited and supported by Saint Kolbe Studios • 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today _________ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fortitude and the Desert Fathers 01:56 Philosophy and Hardship in Pursuit of Wisdom 09:22 Enduring Hardship and Living Logically ------------- Tags: Desert Fathers, Bishop Erik Varden, fortitude, philosophy, wisdom, hardship, trials, St. Gregory, Christian life, perseverance, spiritual growth
August 05, 202513min
Number 4: Episode 25: The Source of Strength
Submit your question to Bishop VardenEpisode OverviewJoin host Jamie Baxter from Exodus 90 for Episode 25 of Desert Fathers in a Year, titled “Amma Sara and the Battle Against Temptation.” This episode dives into the fifth chapter of the Desert Fathers’ systematic collection on lust, featuring a powerful saying from desert mother Amma Sara. Guided by Bishop Erik Varden, the episode explores how to face demonic temptations with fortitude and reliance on Christ, situating Christian spirituality within the pursuit of truth and freedom. Recorded during the Kings of Summer initiative, this reflection offers timeless wisdom for men seeking to conquer vice through virtue.Key Themes and ReflectionsAmma Sara’s Saying: Amma Sara endured a 13-year battle with the demon of lust, never praying for the struggle to cease but simply asking, “My God, strengthen me.” When the demon, disguised as lust and later vanity, claimed defeat, she humbly replied, “Not I have vanquished you. Christ my Lord has,” showcasing reliance on Christ’s victory.Role of Desert Mothers: Women like Amma Sara were equals or superiors to male monks, correcting flawed perspectives (e.g., a nun’s quip to a monk avoiding women: “Had you been a perfect monk, you wouldn’t have noticed that we are women”). A pure heart sees God’s image in all, free from passion.Theology of Temptation: Temptations aren’t unfair disruptions but opportunities for growth, purifying and clarifying vulnerabilities. God allows them for salvation, not destruction, despite the devil’s suggestion of senselessness.Our Father Debate: Liturgical shifts (e.g., “let us not enter temptation” vs. “lead us not”) reflect modern discomfort, but the Greek text affirms God’s purposeful allowance of trials, balanced by human frailty and divine plan.Fortitude in Combat: Amma Sara’s ascesis and prayer model spiritual warfare, abiding in temptation as a crucible to emerge as “gold” through grace, rejecting both sensuality and vanity.Modern Misconceptions: Secular culture demands comfort, viewing temptation as unjust, but God prioritizes truth and freedom, using trials to mature believers. Scriptural and Literary ConnectionsGalatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female,” reflected in the nun’s correction, emphasizing unity in Christ.Our Father (Matthew 6:13): “Lead us not into temptation” expresses diffidence, acknowledging human limits while trusting God’s salvific purpose.Athanasius’ Life of Anthony: Frames Anthony’s nuanced view of lust, setting the stage for Amma Sara’s similar reliance on Christ.Bishop Varden’s Writings: His reflections on peace as conquered, not passive, align with Amma Sara’s active combat (cf. Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses).Mary of Egypt’s Life: Her holiness humbled monk Zosima, paralleling Amma Sara’s exemplary virtue. Action Items for ListenersAdopt Amma Sara’s Prayer: Pray “My God, strengthen me” when facing temptation to rely on Christ’s power.Reflect on Temptation’s Purpose: Journal how past trials have clarified weaknesses or spurred growth, fostering gratitude for God’s plan.Pursue Purity of Heart: Practice seeing others as God’s image, not threats, through daily acts of reverence (e.g., kind words, blessings).Engage with Kings of Summer: Join the Exodus 90 app’s challenge, meditating on King David and Christian kings to grow in virtue.Submit Q&A Questions: Email [email protected] with questions for Bishop Varden’s upcoming Q&A.Share the Podcast: Recommend Desert Fathers in a Year to a friend and leave a review to support its mission. Call to ActionVisit DesertFathers.com to subscribe to the newsletter or submit questions for Bishop Varden’s Q&A (email: [email protected]).Share Desert Fathers in a Year with a friend and leave a review to grow the community.Download the Exodus 90 app to join Kings of Summer, exploring Christ’s kingship through 1 Samuel and historical Christian kings.Engage on social media with #DesertFathers to share insights on overcoming temptation. Episode HighlightsAmma Sara’s Fortitude: Her 13-year battle and humble reliance on Christ model spiritual warfare for modern Christians.Desert Mothers’ Equality: Stories of Amma Sara and others reveal women’s integral role in asceticism, challenging male monks to greater holiness.Temptation’s Role: Practical and theological insights reframe temptation as a path to truth and freedom, not mere disturbance.Liturgical Nuance: The “lead us not” debate underscores God’s purposeful allowance of trials, balanced by human trust. _________ We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is... • 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com. • 🎥 ...produced by EWTN • 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today
June 17, 202512min
Number 5: Bonus Roundtable: Facing Antony's Temptations
Jamie, Doyle, Adam, and Jared from the team at Exodus 90 meet to discuss Bishop Varden's reflection on Antony's temptations. Each week, we'll meet discuss Bishop Varden's reflection and what practical takeaways we can glean from it and apply to our lives. New Roundtable Discussions will be published every Thursday. We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is... • ...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com. • ...produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network • ...and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025. You can listen to Desert Fathers in a Year on the Hallow app, YouTube, X (fka Twitter), Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
January 09, 202555min