The Beatitudes go to the heart of how Christians think about their relationship to God and their relationship to one another. Dr. Rebekah Eklund joins us with a look at how writers and teachers, both ancient and modern, have reflected on the Beatitudes and developed spiritual disciplines to enter more deeply into the knowledge of God.

Al was out of town in early January caring for his mother, who died at the age of 90. By all accounts, she was a joyous and caring woman. Al shares some memories of his mother and lessons he learned from her.

Baylor University, the largest Baptist university in the world, has officially chartered Prism, an LGBT student organization, on campus. It’s simply the latest example of how successful the LGBT movement has become. How did the world arrive at its current state of identity politics and how can the Church respond? We talk with Carl Trueman.

Have you ever been told that the Catholic Church is “obsessed” with Sex? That the Church could help the world more if it focused less on people’s personal sexual preferences and more on issues such as promoting peace or combatting poverty? Well, it’s not the Church that is preoccupied with sex – it’s the world. Al discusses this issue through the lens of recent comments by the German bishops.

Paul Jernberg is a composer and conductor who has worked in the fields of ballet, theater and opera. More recently, though, he has worked to compose sacred music, including music for Mass. He has composed a new fully-sung Mass for Persecuted Christians, which raises awareness and encourages prayer for Christians facing persecution around the globe.  He joins us to share what it is like to compose music like this.

In his Second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes that when we see the Glory of the Lord, we are “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” This study of the supernatural life is formally known as ascetical theology. We dive into this spiritual life with Fr. Jeff Kirby.

It’s our annual open line program taking your calls on the best books for Christmas. Is there a book you’ve read this year – or even in the past – that you would recommend to others? What are some books that have influenced how you view the world and your faith? We continue with your calls.

View the full list at avemariaradio.net 

It’s our annual open line program taking your calls on the best books for Christmas. Is there a book you’ve read this year – or even in the past – that you would recommend to others? What are some books that have influenced how you view the world and your faith? We take your calls.

View the full list from today's program at avemariaradio.net 

Most of us are familiar with the life story of St. Paul. But what about the men and women who surrounded him, learned from him, and grew to assist in his ministry? We get to know some of them with Al.

In Second Corinthians, St. Paul writes that we are ambassadors for Christ. What does this mean for the clergy and the laity? What should a newcomer see or think when they walk into our church for Worship? We continue with Fr. John Riccardo.