Are you ready to show up for Jesus?

Patrick Madrid introduces you to the new Eucharistic Encounters video series. These short, powerful stories showcase lives transformed by Jesus and are narrated by Father Rocky in timeless locations. You can expect a new video every week for the next 33 weeks. The series is entirely free with no obligations, and you can sign up at relevantradio.com/encounter.

Patrick encourages you to take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your love for Christ in the Eucharist and mentions that it's suitable for both adults and children. Additionally, he highlights the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis the following July and encourages you to prepare for the event by watching these Eucharistic Encounters. 

You might be surprised to hear from a Jewish rabbi who believes that Jesus is the Messiah. He's here to tell you about his powerful encounter with the Lord.

Cale Clarke interviews Rabbi Jason Sobel, who is a bestselling author and a rabbi with a belief in Jesus as the true Messiah. Rabbi Sobel discusses his upbringing in a Jewish family in New Jersey, his spiritual journey that led him to discover Jesus as the Messiah, and the challenges he faced from his family due to his faith. He rose above the fear and chose to stand true to his convictions. He's not the only Jewish person to come to know Jesus as the Messiah! There are reports of more and more Jewish people encountering Jesus and quietly becoming believers, despite the cultural pressure against conversion. 

Rabbi Sobel emphasizes the importance of seeing Jesus in his original Jewish context and reading the New Testament through Jewish eyes. He mentions the significance of the "signs" in the Gospel of John. These are miracles that point to Jesus as the promised Messiah, and they draw connections between Jesus and the "greater-than-Moses" figure from the Old Testament.

You will be encouraged in this segment and inspired by the hope and miracles that Jesus wants to do for you. 

You can check out the entire conversation! 

Have you ever been asked this question: "Are you saved?"

Maybe you felt flustered and didn't know how to respond. Can you, as a Catholic, say that you're saved? Is this scriptural? 

In this podcast episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, the caller, Heather, asks whether Catholics can claim to be saved and discusses the perspective of Protestant family members who believe in "once saved, always saved." Patrick Madrid provides a comprehensive response.

He explains that the Bible uses various verb tenses (past, present progressive, and future) when discussing salvation. Catholics can say they have been saved (past), are being saved (present progressive), and will be saved (future) by God's grace. However, this doesn't imply an absolute assurance of salvation because individuals can choose to turn away from faith.

Patrick cites biblical passages such as 1 Corinthians 3, Ephesians 2, Acts 2, Acts 27, 1 Corinthians 1, and 2 Corinthians 2 to illustrate the different verb tenses used regarding salvation. He emphasizes that Catholics should approach the concept of salvation with humility, understanding that they need to work out their salvation in fear and trembling, as warned by St. Paul. Patrick also notes that the belief in "once saved, always saved" is a common misunderstanding of Scripture, particularly prevalent in certain Protestant denominations. He provides examples of passages that suggest the possibility of losing salvation.

He encourages Heather to engage in fruitful discussions with her Protestant family members by referencing these passages when they discuss the topic of salvation. 

Are you fearful about the impact that AI could have on society? You're not alone. Workers in Hollywood are on strike, and this has a lot to do with their concerns about being replaced by artificial intelligence. 

In this podcast episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew interviews Peter Atkinson, who is in charge of The Merry Beggars, the entertainment division of Relevant Radio. They discuss several key topics:

1. The Writers Strike: They talk about the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America against the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. This strike has disrupted the entertainment industry, affecting talk shows, movie releases, and TV series.

2. Discussion on Residuals and Streaming: They delve into the topic of residuals in the context of streaming services. Unlike traditional broadcasting, streaming platforms don't generate additional revenue through advertising when content is rerun, which affects how actors and writers are compensated.

3. Impact of AI in Hollywood: Peter Atkinson points out that the strike is partly a response to the rise of artificial intelligence in the industry. AI has been used for various purposes, including performance capture, de-aging actors, and even cloning the voices and likenesses of deceased individuals to create content. This shift raises concerns for actors and writers about job security. Peter gives his own opinion about AI and how he doesn't believe it can actually produce excellent content right now. 

4. The Merry Beggars' new audio series: They introduce The Merry Beggars' new audio series called "The Saints: Adventures of Faith and Courage." This weekday series shares dramatic and inspiring stories of saints. It's available through the relevant radio app and on thesaintspodcast.com. Peter assures you that this audio series was not produced with any AI and relied on real voice actors and producers to create the podcast. 

 

Do you pray the Rosary? Does it bring peace to your life? 

Fr. Richard Simon discusses the origins of the Rosary with caller Doug. He explains that the term "rosary" means a garland of roses and is often associated with the Dominican tradition. According to tradition, the Rosary was given to St. Dominic in a vision as a means to combat the errors of a Gnostic group in Southern France.

However, Fr. Simon also mentions another theory that suggests the Rosary might have initially started as a series of prayer beads, which were common in various religions and dated back to early monastic practices. This theory speculates that the Rosary allowed illiterate peasants to participate in the life of monasteries where Psalms were recited, serving as a substitute for the Psalms of the Divine Office.

The Rosary is seen as a beautiful and ancient form of prayer that has a rich history, and it remains a powerful tool in spiritual warfare and a gift to God.

Have you seen the movie, Unplanned? It tells the story of Abby Johnson's pro-life conversion. 

In this podcast episode from Glen's Story Corner, Glen Leverenz shares Ashley Bratcher's personal experience of being cast in the movie "Unplanned" and a profound revelation from her mother. Ashley Bratcher, the star of the movie, recalls how she quickly accepted the role, even with just four hours' notice, and flew to Oklahoma for filming. She was hesitant to share the film's content with her mother because her mother had previously had an abortion, and she didn't want to be judgmental.

However, when Ashley did share the story of Abby Johnson with her mother, it led to an emotional revelation that tugged at her heart. Her mother admitted that, when she was 19 and at an abortion clinic for the second time, she had decided not to go through with it after a pregnant nurse examined her. She chose to keep Ashley instead. This revelation deeply affected her as she realized she had narrowly escaped being a victim of abortion herself. 

This experience made Ashley Bratcher appreciate the value of life and put things into perspective for her, referencing Jeremiah 29:11 about God's plans for each individual's life. This story is meant to give you comfort and a reminder that God has a special purpose for your life. 

Do you get nervous in Confession? You might wonder how specific you need to be about your sins. You're not alone.

In this episode of the "Trending with Timmerie," a listener named Maria from Chicago reached out with a question about the Catholic Church's teaching on Confession. Maria mentioned that during confession, a priest asked her for specific details about impure acts, which left her feeling uncomfortable and ashamed.

Timmerie discussed Maria's question, emphasizing the importance of being honest and humble when going to confession. She mentioned that it's customary to provide the number and kind of sins committed. If a priest requires more context, there is a difference between offering context and sharing explicit, scandalous details.

Timmerie acknowledged that sometimes people might withhold information during confession, and priests may sense this and ask clarifying questions. In such cases, it's essential to respond prudentially and honestly. However, Timmerie encouraged listeners to exercise prudential judgment and caution when asked for explicit details, emphasizing the importance of confessing sins without holding anything back while avoiding explicit and scandalous disclosures. 

Have you been trying to discern something on your own? Would you find more peace if you had someone who could help you along the process? It may help to consider finding a spiritual director! How do you go about finding one?

In this podcast episode of "Trending," Timmerie talks to Maria Brackett, a spiritual director and trainer at Divine Mercy University. They discuss the concept of spiritual direction and how to find a spiritual director. Maria explains that spiritual direction is a ministry aimed at helping individuals grow in their relationship with the Lord. It involves deep listening, understanding, and providing guidance in one's spiritual journey. It differs from therapy, which focuses on human problems, whereas spiritual direction focuses on the relationship with God.

Maria emphasizes that spiritual directors can come from various backgrounds, including laypeople, priests, religious sisters, and others. The key is finding someone you trust and feel comfortable sharing your spiritual journey with.

They also address the importance of setting clear boundaries in the spiritual direction relationship to avoid confusion with friendship. Maria highlights that spiritual directors should always prioritize the individual's spiritual growth and not seek mutual giving and receiving.

Lastly, Timmerie mentions the road map to finding a spiritual director, which includes initiating a conversation about your needs, sharing your spiritual history, and being patient as the relationship develops. She encourages you to explore the possibility of finding a spiritual director, whether through their parish priest or other sources like Divine Mercy University.

In a recent episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, an extraordinary moment took place. Did you hear it? 

Alicia, a caller from the Chicagoland area, reached out to Patrick Madrid for advice. She was on her way to obtain abortion pills and was filled with uncertainty and fear. Patrick encouraged Alicia to consider the consequences of her decision, explaining that choosing abortion meant someone had to die, and that by giving life to her child, she could experience the joy of watching her child grow, graduate, and live a fulfilling life. Alicia, touched by Patrick's words, decided not to go through with the abortion, describing her call as a sign from God.

You may wonder how Patrick felt during that conversation. What was running through his mind? Was he nervous?

Cale Clarke talked to Patrick about this conversation. He praised Patrick's ability to convey the truth clearly and charitably, noting that he doesn't shy away from speaking the plain truth. Patrick explained that he uses the Socratic method to engage with callers, asking questions to lead them to discover the truth for themselves. He emphasized that it's about pursuing truth and helping others see it without feeling pushed.

Patrick and Cale also discussed how important it is to approach such conversations with love and compassion, mirroring Christ's example of speaking the truth without fear. Patrick shared that he relies on God's grace in these moments and seeks to be honest and compassionate.

Patrick expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in Alicia's life and urged continued prayers for her and her unborn child, emphasizing that the journey is not over.

Ever wondered how to introduce your kids to prayer without making it a big, stressful ordeal? 🧐 You can do this! Glen and Sarah talk with Kim Morgan, a Catholic wife, mom, and licensed clinical social worker, in this episode of Morning Air to talk all about making prayer a natural part of family life. Here’s the lowdown:

 

Start with the Basics: Mealtime Prayers 🍽️

Kim suggests the easiest way to get them praying is to kick off with a simple grace before meals. It’s quick, natural, and a great first step into making prayer part of their day. Bonus: It's also a reminder to be thankful!

 

Sneak in Prayers Throughout the Day 🚗🙏

Why limit prayer to just church or bedtime? Glen, Sarah, and Kim talk about weaving prayer into everyday routines—morning, bedtime, car rides, you name it! Praying during a school run or while prepping breakfast can be the perfect low-key way to show that talking to God can happen anytime.

 

Bring in Some Prayer History 📚👼

Kim gets practical by recommending tools like books, games, or flashcards to give kids some historical context for prayers. For example, teaching them about the Prayer of Fatima makes it more than just words—they start to understand the deeper meaning behind what they’re saying.

 

Create a Prayer-Friendly Environment 🏡🎶

Think praying with kids has to be a formal, kneel-in-silence affair? Think again! Kim shares how she prays the Rosary with her kids while driving. It's all about fitting prayer into your family's unique rhythm—whether it’s in the car, at home, or on the go!

 

Conversational Prayer = Talking to God Like a Friend 🗣️💬

It's about teaching kids to chat with God throughout the day, just like they would with a friend. This casual approach helps them build a personal connection and makes prayer less about reciting memorized words and more about sharing their heart.

 

Bedtime Prayers 🌙💤

Turns out, bedtime is a goldmine for heartfelt prayers! 🧸 Kim and the hosts point out that kids tend to be extra thoughtful and empathetic when they’re winding down, often praying for their friends, family, or anyone on their mind. This is a sweet opportunity to help them grow in empathy and love for others.

 

Lead by Example 🙏✨

Finally, they drive home the idea that kids learn by watching us. If we’re making prayer a regular, joyful part of our lives, they’ll want to join in. Whether you're a parent or grandparent, showing your love for prayer is a powerful way to nurture your child's growing faith. Allow God to give you the grace to be a faithful witness to your kiddos! 

 

 

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