The Catholic Experience

This is taken from a video clip produced for my Locals Community (Join me on Locals) It gives helpful advice to average Catholics interested in diving deeper into theology and interpretation of scripture, and serves as a preface to a short series of podcasts where I'll talk about a resurgence of the Church of the Arian heresy.

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As I explore the implications of this controversy, I also take a moment to preface a series I plan to produce on the resurgence of the Church of the Arian heresy. Arianism isn’t making a comeback, but the culture and attitudes that lead to that civil war in the Church have made a big return. I offer some preliminary thoughts on that subject. 

In connection with the subject of the blessing of a same-sex union, I also talk about the importance of treating/correcting matters of Love (or matters of the heart) with tenderness and care, whether between gay people, straight people, and even if the love is wrongly ordered. Pretty good substance in this episode, which I'm sure you'll enjoy and learn from.

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Can we prove that God exists? It depends on what "proof" means to you, but the simple answer is YES.
The nature of proof itself is under scrutiny in our this first of a 6-part series on Aquinas' Five Ways (or proofs of God's existence). In this episode I unpack different kinds of evidence, specifically logical evidence and material evidence, and how they contribute to our understanding of "proof". No matter your experience with philosophy, this conversation is designed to be accessible and engaging. This episode serves as a prelude to a series exploring Aquinas' five ways, and whether you're a seasoned philosopher or a curious mind, there's something here for you.

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This is a follow up to Episode #26, “The Trouble with Tradition”(Link below). After-show, “When Culture Lives and Dies” is available on my Locals community for free and paid members (Future after-shows are for paid members only). 

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Twitter: @forthequeenbvm and @cathexperience

Episode 27: "The Trouble with Tradition"

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• (00:00) - Importance of Tradition

In this episode, the first in a short series on “Culture,” I explain that traditions in the lived Catholic Experience can be beneficial when present, depleting when absent, and dangerous when misused. 

Starting the episode with a few words about trusting the direction of the Church, in light of today’s release of Dignitatas Infinita, I get into the episode proper. I offer a message of encouragement to Catholics by telling a story of “The Karate Club” and explaining the lesson we learn from that, supported by Jesus’ words in the Gospel. 

Then we move into a discussion on Culture, using, for illustration of the point, problems some Catholics have with the Divine Mercy devotion and how error creeps into the Catholic population and spreads throughout the faithful through the channel of exchange of cultures. 

Chapters

Blog Post about Dignitas Infinita 

Episode Mentioned in this Podcast: Tradition and the Desert

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• (00:00) - The Trouble with Tradition - Ep. 26

Today remember that the people will exultantly shout, "Hosanna, hosanna!" and line the path of Jesus to throw palms on the ground before him.On Good Friday, they'll shout, "Crucify him, crucify him!" and line up along the path to Golgotha to spit on him.

What changes a heart from "Hosanna!" to "Crucify him!"? Why do we hear of only women weeping for Our Lord, Veronica wanting to tend to him, and only one man, Simon, begrudgingly showing compassion and sympathy? 

Maybe those Sunday "Hosannas" weren't sincere. Maybe Jesus wasn't the type of messiah that they wanted, so they threw him away by Friday. We still do that today. We want "the Church" or "the Faith" of our desires and throw it away or fabricate a new one when the real thing is not our hearts' desire, or not what we expect. Some of us herald the idea of “Catholic” but then scourge and crucify the Mystical Body.

Maybe the weeping women and Veronica saw something most of the other people weren't seeing. Pride has a blinding effect, while humility opens the eyes of the heart and leads to compassion and obedience. We see that opening of the eyes in Simon. Maybe Simon, the guilty sinner, realized he was not an innocent man carrying the cross of a criminal, but that he himself was the criminal, and Jesus, indeed the innocent man. 

The entire story between the Palms of Sunday and the passion of the following Friday demonstrates the dark condition of man and how much we all need Jesus in order to be transformed into his image. The image of his face was left on the veil of Veronica, and maybe the image of his heart was left on the heart of Simon. What is the image impressed upon the hearts of those who spat on him and cheered during his torture and execution? I leave that for you to consider. But remember that Jesus said, "Forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing."

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Reacting to a video message by Cardinal Timothy Dolan addressing our "Islamic brothers and sisters." It's a message of good intent, but terrible execution, and I explain why it errs to the left. Following that, I then explain why, in my opinion, a post by Bishop Joseph Strickland errs to the right. Don't worry, it's not doctrinal error. As I explain in the episode, the Dolan video, and Strickland's post err in attitude.

Then I discuss the controversy sparked by a completely empty quote by Pope Francis about civil unions. ("it is right that these people who live the gift of love can have legal coverage like everyone else.") It's a quote that provides nothing but a bag of questions, and yet the Catholic social-sphere have used it as material to put words in the Holy Father's mouth. I respond to that, and I explain his record on civil unions, what he has and hasn't said, reaching back to his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires to assess and analyze his record, and what he may have meant in that quote

Chapters

• Cardinal Dolan, and Catholic Ramadan? - 2:32
• 'Islamics' are not Brethren - 5:23
• Ramadan, Islamic Lent? - 6:07
• 'Islamics' are not Brethren - 9:04
• Take Catholicism Seriously - 11:43
• Strickland and Communion in the Hands - 13:29
• Pope on Same-Sex Civil Unions, Not a Church Issue - 19:29
• Pope's 'Record' on Civil Unions - 25:52
• What is 'Gift of Love'? - 28:00
• What is 'Legal Coverage'? - 29:06
• Summing it all up - 32:11

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Are you ready for a ride? This episode achieves the impossible, bringing you segment-by-segment, from something Fun, to something heavy, to something deep.

News and nonsense pulled apart in the return of this fan-favorite news segment, "The Pulse"

Moral Theologian Father Peter Dugandzic joins me to talk about President Biden's opposition to the Truth and the Church's teaching on IVF (In vitro fertilization). What is the Church's teaching, and why? And can we finally call Biden a heretic now?

Then we analyze the dichotomy of two churches—the True Church, and the False Church. The problems aren't just modernists or Sedevacantists. Even within the borders of the proper Church there are good people in the "wrong church"

Major Chapters

00:2:47 - Speed Dating

00:06:31 - Steel Tourism and "Cocooning"

00:17:33 - Guest Segment, Fr. Peter Dugandzic

00:46:00 - Two Churches

Highlights Time Stamps

(09:12) Sleep Tourism?
Sleep tourism is a growing trend, and informed consent in transgender healthcare is controversial.

(17:33) Catholic Church's Position on IVF
Father Dugandzic and I discuss the Catholic Church's teaching on IVF, including ethical dilemmas. 

(29:44) The Truth in Catholic Communication
The Catholic Church's failure to effectively communicate moral teachings, including IVF and lockdown responses, and the need for clear language and concepts like Thomas Aquinas' to express complex theological truths.

(36:32) Defining Human Life and Faithfulness
Biden's stance on IVF, and the political and moral implications of fertility treatments are discussed in relation to Catholic teachings.

(47:10) Discussion on the fake "Pope Michael" and Extremes in the Catholic Church
Exploring the range of views within the Catholic community, including the case of "Pope Michael" and his successor, with respect and sensitivity.

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Addressing some fears that potential converts, reverts, and even practicing Catholics have along the journey to saying “Yes” to God and to religion. It’s packaged as a message to potential converts and reverts to the Catholic faith, but it’s also relevant to practicing Catholics.

The devil produces an illusion from the material of real things—things you love, weaknesses you have, and concerns you have. The illusion he produces is one of great fear; for example, fear of losing a lifestyle you may have to surrender, fear of surrendering particular friends or activities in your life, and fear of saying “Yes” to God and religion.

“If I say yes to God, I’ll have to give up XYZ, and the thought of it saddens me.”

“If I say yes to God/Religion, I’ll have to change everything about who I am, the life I live.”

It’s all an illusion! 

To say “Yes” to God and the Catholic faith is nothing less than saying Yes to your destiny. It's saying "Yes" to becoming the true "you."

Also, what does the Keto diet have to do with Catholicism? Yep…that’s in this episode, too!

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Welcome to a refreshingly lighter edition of the Catholic Experience, where we take a step back from the weightier discussions of previous sessions. I share my candid reactions to Father Chad Rippeger's thought-provoking insights on the lasting effects of sin and the path to spiritual recovery. I examine the potentially misleading aspects of Father Rippeger's messages, weighing sincere scholarly rigor against the necessity for accessible spiritual guidance and pastoral prudence.

The discussion navigates through the intricacies of sin's impact on the soul and the profound role of prayer, penance, and positive actions in fostering spiritual growth.

I then take an intriguing turn as I reflect on a "poor" young woman's struggle with affording entertainment, offering a perspective that might just challenge some people's views on society and the modern generation.

In the final chapter of this episode, we explore the delicate balance between change and permanence in the Catholic faith, in life, and in the "adventure" to holiness. The episode draws to a close with reflections on the Transfiguration from the day's Gospel reading, illustrating the nature of change and its place in our lives.

Highlights and Chapter Time Codes

• (00:48 - 02:10) Father Chad Rippager Reaction and Change (82 Seconds)
• (09:45 - 11:15) Errors in Church Thought and Visionaries (90 Seconds)
• (12:27 - 14:12) Father Rippager's Book Discussion (105 Seconds)
• (18:21 - 19:20) Impact of Sin on the Soul (59 Seconds)
• (30:57 - 32:26) Entertainment Budget Misconceptions (89 Seconds)
• (33:27 - 35:18) Generations Struggle With Reality and Food (111 Seconds)
• (38:33 - 40:11) Change and the Nature of Goodness (99 Seconds)
• (41:26 - 43:13) The Transfiguration and Resurrection Understanding (107 Seconds)
• (47:04 - 48:44) Embracing Change for Spiritual Growth (100 Seconds)

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