Special Broadcasts

“I am the true vine.” With this seventh and final “I am” statement, Chapter 15 of

John’s Gospel focuses on our need to abide in Christ, remaining in His love. The image of a vine reminds

us of the many allegories in the Bible related to wine, grapes and vineyards. Jesus uses the same

imagery in John 15 when he describes the blessings to those who abide in him and the destruction that

occurs to those that do not. God’s vine of Israel was meant to spread throughout the world, but instead

became an un-kept, disgraceful vineyard. Israel was in need of a new and true vine, and Jesus fulfills

that need.

Distraction is anything that takes our focus away from where it needs to be.

Listen to this sample lesson from Bishop Barron’s film and study program “Eucharist,” and then get access to the full study program by joining the Word on Fire Institute.

Dr. Chris interviews Fr. Kris Cowles about his journey of faith.

Sharon gives us a wonderful teaching about first century Jewish wedding customs,

which helps us to better understand the rich symbolism found in this chapter. In ancient Palestine,

extended families lived together in an expansive house called an insula. The marital ritual began when

the groom and his father journeyed to the bride’s home and negotiated the terms of the marriage.

The son would return home and prepare the insula for the arrival of his bride. The bride prepares herself for

the return of the groom, but she does not know how long it will take for him to return. Knowing this, we

now have a much better understanding of Jesus’ promise to return to us after he prepares a place for us

in his Father’s house.

All of us have gifts in our lives and all of us have real struggles in our lives. What weight do we give our blessings and what weight do we give our struggles?

Dr. Chris interviews Fr. Paul Rutten about men's spirituality and some specific ways that men can grow in their Catholic faith.

It’s an exciting day as we celebrate the launch of Bishop Barron’s newest book, Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization (CUA Press). The book pulls together 17 academic essays, talks, and papers that Bishop has composed over the past few years, and covers everything from evangelization to theology, philosophy, the sex abuse crisis, the priesthood, relativism, liberalism, and even contemporary movies. Brandon and Bishop discuss the book in today’s episode.

A listener asks how to dialogue with those who believe that Jesus is just one of many incarnations of God.

The Rutten brothers talk about forgiveness, human dignity, relationships, and much more as they review their movie of the month: "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"

Chapter 14 has an abundance of nuptial imagery. God designed marriage as a way to

image the Trinity. Just as life flows from the one flesh union of man and woman, the life of the Holy

Spirit flows from the union of the Father and Son, who are one. From the beginning in Genesis, to the

end in Revelation, the story of salvation is the story of the marriage between God and His people.