This week, Ralph discusses a letter that St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians, sent to his friend Ralph almost a thousand years ago. It’s a strong exhortation if we’ve fallen away from our “first love” to repent and return!

This week, Ralph discusses what the Word of God reveals to us about the purpose of the first Pentecost and how we can connect to that power today.

In this week's episode, Ralph comments on a passage of scripture that is really helpful for us to grow in humility and gratitude. This verse can serve as an orienting guide for us, as we observe growing factions and divisions in the Church. As Ralph says, "I just really feel like we all need to come together on the basis of the truth." It’s the shortest podcast he’s done yet!

This week Ralph reflects on a verse from Colossians that he has been puzzling over: "Our life is now hidden with Christ in God," so Paul says, "Set your mind on the things that are above, not the things that are on earth, because earth is passing" (Col 3:1-3). This week, we invite you to be encouraged by this word: earth is just a temporary place; our true home is heaven, but even now, we are already there in a certain kind of way! Knowing this truth, Ralph encourages us to concern ourselves with the truths of God, with the reality of Jesus, and with the rich revelation that God has given us in holy Scripture.

Join us for the final night of our Pentecost Mission featuring Dr. Mary Healy teaching on healing this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Register at www.renewalministries.net/pentecostmission.

In this week's episode, Ralph talks about our deeply rooted aversion to obedience and shows how important obedience to God is for the sake of our salvation. He identifies some of the ways in which we rationalize disobedience and names particular “exceptions” to God’s will that we are tempted to make these days.

Don't forget to join us for the third night of our Pentecost Mission this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Register at www.renewalministries.net/pentecostmission.

This week, Ralph discusses teaching from St. John of the Cross on dark nights, how to discern them and how to respond to them.

Join us for the second week of the Pentecost Mission Sunday, May 30, from 8-9:15 p.m. ET with Pete Burak. More information and registration here: www.renewalministries.net/pentecostmission.

This week, Ralph comments on an excellent article on “eucharistic coherence” by Archbishop Samuel Aquila from Denver. The points the Archbishop makes are inspiring for their honest acknowledgement of bishops' failures to teach the hard truths of the faith, which have led us to the current mess. At the same time, the Archbishop shares the Lord’s warnings about approaching the Eucharist unworthily, not just because of “Church law” but because of concern for the salvation of souls and true love. 

Archbishop Aquila's article: https://bit.ly/3tTIyPz

Ralph's article The Post-Christendom Sacramental Crisis: The Wisdom of Thomas Aquinas: https://bit.ly/3hIBjaG

Join us for an online Pentecost Mission starting Pentecost Sunday, May 23, from 8-9:15 p.m. ET! We'll have four sessions, over four weeks featuring Ralph Martin, Pete Burak, Peter Herbeck, and Dr. Mary Healy. More information and registration here: www.renewalministries.net/pentecostmission.

As we approach the Feast of Pentecost, Ralph reflects on the story and example of St. Stephen: “What we’re seeing is how people can harden their hearts. What we’re also seeing is how, even though Jesus has gone before us, and suffered and died for us, He’s inviting us to participate with Him in the sacrifice of our lives joined to his life so that people may receive a witness to the Gospel and have the possibility of being saved” (Ralph Martin).

Join us for an online Pentecost Mission starting Pentecost Sunday, May 23, from 8-9:15 p.m. ET! We'll have four sessions over four weeks featuring Ralph Martin, Pete Burak, Peter Herbeck, and Dr. Mary Healy. Get more information and register here: www.renewalministries.net/pentecostmission. 

Ralph is often asked what he thinks about prophesies about a warning or illumination of conscience that some prophetic strands in the Catholic tradition speak about. In this week's episode, he explains what this warning or illumination is prophesied to be and what he thinks about how we should approach this particular prophetic stream.

Brothers and Sisters, because of the importance of the subject matter we thought we should share a special message in this week's podcast. Bishop Robert Barron recently gave a sermon that has occasioned a lot of interest and some controversy. Fr. Mark Goring responded to some of what Bishop Barron said, but since part of what he said is an area that I have a deep concern about and also some expertise in, I thought I should offer some friendly comments. I hope you find them useful.  // Ralph Martin