The Catholic Reading Challenge

We have all been thrown out of our normal routines with the presence of the coronavirus. As we adjust to a change of life rhythms during this pandemic quarantine, we find ourselves in a Lent we didn't choose for ourselves. We are talking a little about that and a lot about Hemingway on this episode. We are thankful that we have time with stories and books, as well as this medium to continue and share about them during an unprecedented time of social isolation. 

Did you know that this amazingly prophetic dystopia was first published in 1909? On this episode we are discussing the masterful insight that Forster had regarding the trajectory of technology and the modern notion of progress. Join us as we touch on just some of the symbols in this story that might actually make you think of a few current conventions and social norms at which we don't even blink an eye. 

Our short story author for the month of February is E. M. Forster, and in this episode we are discussing his masterful "The Celestial Omnibus." Listen along as we contemplate what this story means for how we are to live as human beings, how we are to respond to beauty in the arts, and what it means to look with wonder at the world. Are we living like the boy or Mr. Bons?

We are rounding out our discussion of Flannery O'Connor's short story themes and talking about a story that is a favorite for a lot of people: "Parker's Back." Tattoos, traveling evangelists, burning bushes, icons and religious images, the Christ-haunted South -- lots of good stuff gets covered in this one!

We kick off the first podcast of 2020 with our discussion of the first Flannery O'Connor story selection for January: "The Displaced Person". We talk about the characters and symbolism in this story that is indicative of O'Connor's writing and why her crafting of people and place is so "real." Among various other themes, we discuss how this short story master portrays "grace" and how such literary images can impact our lives and faith. 

Mike and Jess close out the first season of the podcast, and 2019, with a great discussion of Plato's dialogue, Gorgias. They touch on topics related to goodness, justice, rhetoric, and the ultimate condition of the soul. It's a conversation about an ancient book that couldn't be more relevant to our current times.

So what happened to the podcast in November??? Mike and Jess talk about that, great books, and the great list of short story selections that they are working on for 2020 on The Catholic Reading Challenge. They share some of C. S. Lewis's *fantastic* words of wisdom on reading the classics, and chat about their vision for reading (and talking about) nothing but short stories in the podcast community in the new year.

Mike and Jess talk about the book they both read this month: On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius. They share why these early Church fathers gave such good homilies and why the truth they spoke is what we really need to hear today.

In the month of October we are reading "a book by a doctor of the Church." Do you know all 36 doctors of the Church?? Neither do we. Jess is even trying to make some up. Here's a list; so you don't make the same mistake. Also, we are previewing the podcast season for 2020 -- it's going to be good!

Mike and Jess share fall happenings...including the exciting pre-release of Jessica's book, Home in the Church: Living an Embodied Catholic Faith. Then they get into what they learned from their re-reads, and how to approach them in the future.