Padre's Points

What exactly is the Kingdom of God? Jesus constantly uses this phrase in the Gospels, but its meaning may seem elusive at times. Tune in as Fr. Mattingly sheds a little bit of light on this phrase, in addition to a brief breakdown of today’s specific “parables of the Kingdom” (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time).

Fr. Mattingly explains the impact that St. Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) has had on his own life in recent years, and the new horizons that were opened up for him in the spiritual life from gradual exposure to the spirituality of St. Josemaria.  

Persecution comes in “hard” and “soft” forms. Our society currently engages in much “soft” persecution of Catholicism, with “hard” persecution possibly on the horizon. In either case, Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel to have no fear. Tune in as Fr. Mattingly unpacks the different encouragements of Our Lord for those who suffer for His sake.

When you die and are asked why you should be let into heaven, do you know the right answer? It may not be what you think. Tune in as Fr. Mattingly unpacks Romans 5 for a proper understanding of how salvation works.

Show notes:

Talk by Dan Burke

Why was Mary’s Heart “Immaculate”? Was it more than just her sinlessness? Listen as Fr. Mattingly unpacks two reasons why Mary has an Immaculate Heart, and how we also can pursue purity of heart.

N.B. – This is a very practical homily!

The purpose of life is union with God. There is no more intimate union with God in this life than feeding on His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Listen as Fr. Mattingly unpacks this theme on the great solemnity of Corpus Christi!

Listen as Fr. Mattingly draws out three lessons about marriage from the Book of Tobit in the Old Testament.

Many people think all major religions are basically the same, with only minior differences, or that all major monotheistic world religions or philosophical systems have the same basic concept of God. On this Trinity Sunday, learn why the Christian concept of God as Trinity is far more radical and different from other belief systems than might first be thought.

The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the “Sanctifier”. But how exactly does the Holy Spirit sanctify us, and what do we need to do on our end to entice Him to sanctify us more fully?

Many people today talk about a “priest shortage”. Just how scarce are priests today compared to bygone centuries? Tune in as Fr. Mattingly draws on some demographic studies to give an idea of just how real the scarcity of priests is in the United States today.