Polycarp's Paradigm

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

I'm launching a brand new series on the Gospel of John with Pat Flynn, but we each recorded the first chapter separately. Stay tuned for future episodes of PolyPat where we will go chapter by chapter through the Gospel and give our reflections.

Pat and Eric have consecrated themselves to St. Joseph. In this episode we talk about that experience and give highlights from Fr. Don Calloway's book, "Consecration to St. Joseph." Link to book: https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/

Euchoetry.com is officially launched! What is Euchoetry? Euchoetry is an invitation to encounter God, a movement of beauty, and a new form of writing. Euchoetry is derived from two words: Eucharist and poetry. The Eucharist is Jesus Christ himself under the appearance of bread and wine. It is the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Because the Eucharist is Jesus and Jesus is God, all people are invited to worship and adore Christ in the Eucharist. Being in the presence of the Creator often unleashes our own creativity. Thus, we invite you to spend time in the presence of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration at a Catholic Church near you. Simply be with him. Poetry is a creative form of writing that allows the transcendent to break into our reality. If our Lord inspires you to write a poem in his presence, then this is a place where you can share that beautiful exchange of love with the world. Poems in the presence of God. This is Euchoetry.

https://euchoetry.com/

2020 was a weird year to say the least. Much suffering has occurred globally with the pandemic, lockdowns, and political upheaval. Pat and Eric process 2020 and then look forward to 2021. Will 2021 be better or worse?

Polycarp's Paradigm had a good year despite the craziness of 2020. More downloads, more guests, more glory! In this episode, I summarize the different podcasts and series I've done just in case you didn't listen to all of them. This will whet your appetite to go back and listen to some episodes you may have skipped!

What is the Church? This is a fundamental question that must be answered, not in vague terms, but in clear historical and theological terms so that real Christian unity can be sought after.

Eric's new book on Amazon: "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVGHGJ5/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=8-1

As we close out our conversation about visible unity, here are some more saints who inspire us to foster unity in our time.

The seven saints included in this episode are:

St Silas (1st century), St. Ignatius of Antioch (AD 107), St. Justin de Jacobis (1860), St. Cyprian of Carthage (258), St. Leo II (683), St. Gregory Barbarigo (1697), Blessed Liduina Meneguzzi (1941).

Conspiracy theories abound in 2020 as this strange year makes for fertile ground for these theories to blossom. As Christians, what are we to make of all of these conspiracies? Bill Vanderbush, a Protestant preacher, helps us rise above these theories and focus our attention on the kingdom of God. Bill's website: https://billvanderbush.com/

Do different denominations all preach the same Gospel? Not really. Visible disunity gravely damages the Christian witness throughout the world both because of mixed messaging and deprivations in sacramental grace. Nothing less is at stake in this conversation about visible unity than the salvation of mankind. It is time for all people to come into full communion with the Catholic Church!

Book on Amazon: "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church"

We've all heard of "the problem of evil" posed as an objection to God's existence, but Pat and Eric uncover how the obvious presence of evil and suffering points to God's existence and the solution found in the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen.