The Myth Pilgrim

Blurb: Charming fairytale, or divine truth? How we sit with the Genesis creation stories shapes how we approach life's biggest questions: on life's meaning, love, the nature of reality, gender, marriage and human suffering.

Excerpt from episode: "...where Adam under the first Tree stood passively while his beloved was ambushed by the serpent, Christ the new Adam, puts his body on the line to protect his beloved from the serpent. You may be interested to know that the translation of the word serpent ‘nachash’ is sometimes translated as dragon. Was it a dragon then, in Eden? It would go to show why men are so obsessed with slaying dragons in world mythology, because that was precisely what Adam didn’t do. Instead of using his masculine strength to fight and defend, he stood by passively … which is the opposite of slaying the dragon. Christ however, restores this masculine genius for men. And for women, Mary’s fiat restores the feminine genius that was lost when Eve failed as the nurturing mother of all living. Through Mary, we learn once again that, “a woman’s soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold” – that’s from St Edith Stein. While many woman will be called to biological motherhood, all women are first called to spiritual motherhood… in the same way that all men are first called to spiritual fatherhood (and not merely grown-up boyhood). Jesus and Mary, pray for us, that we may see in you the redemption of our masculinity and femininity, Amen."

Suggested further content: 

Dr John Lennox - Confidence in Genesis 

Dr Jordan Peterson - Biblical Series II: Genesis 1: Chaos & Order 

Soundtrack credits: Background music used episode is from, or covers of , the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim OST (Jeremy Soule)

St John Paul II said that “The message of Fatima is more relevant now than ever in the history of mankind.” Hear the amazing story behind Mary's appearance in 1917, and learn how prophecy, seers and cosmic battles play out across the real pages of history. 

Learn how 10 million Aztecs discovered Christ from within their own mythology, culture and history. What can Our Lady of Guadalupe teach us about inculturation of the gospel message? 

Recount the Titan who stole fire from heaven and willingly sacrificed himself for humanity. How does this classical Greek myth have incredible resonace with the mission and passion of Jesus Christ? 

How does the devil tempt us, and how gullible are we to his tactics? C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters is a creative exploration of the subtle art of temptation. This episode, learn the arsenal the devil uses against newly converted Christians! (Letter II from the book)

Plunge into the Easter Triduum this year with a lonely queen! This original story of mine illustrates how death and resurrection forms the rhythm of Christian life, and how St Therese of Lisieux's spirituality can inspire us this Easter! 

This episode is a meditation on gratitude. The much acclaimed Star Wars: Rogue One offers us an opportunity to reflect upon all the thankless people in our lives, people who have sacrificed to make you, you! What impact will your sacrifices make, upon generations to come?

Blurb: The four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Temperence, Fortitude and Justice) are as important as they are forgotten. Follow St Thomas Aquinas and Aragorn as they offer examples of each virtue from The Lord of the Rings.

Excerpt from episode: "An example of Aragorn’s prudence takes place shortly after Gandalf the grey is apparently slain by the Balrog inside the mines of Moria. Naturally, the fellowship are in grief and shock, unable to think rationally. After Gandalf’s fall, they are immediately ambushed by orcs and are in immediate peril. Checking his own emotions, Aragorn realises that he must now take on the role of leader and to lead the fellowship onwards. While the pastoral thing to do would be to give the fellowship time to grieve and process the loss of their mentor, the prudent thing to do would be to get up and flee the orcs while they still could. Here is the relevant scene that captures this in the movie adaptation."

All soundtracks from this episode are covers from the OST of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (composed by Howard Shore)
 

Tangled presents us a chance to explore St John Paul II's Theology of the Body! Explore his profound teaching on love, lust and eros alongside Rapunzel, Mother Gothel & Flynn. Let's follow the light!

Excerpt from episode: "I love the fact that the floating lanterns are released every year on Rapunzel's birthday, because the church actually recognises that baptism is our true birthday, for on that day we are born into the kingdom of God. So there’s a big baptism detail already.  Then there’s the thousands of light floating off and illuminating the night! Recall that baptisms traditionally take place at the Easter vigil, a ceremony which begins in pure darkness, until the first light is lit by the priest – the pascal candle, from which other candles are lit one by one, slowly spreading until the entire church is filled with light. This is totally like the lantern scene – which are lit by the king and queen first, which becomes the cue for others to light theirs and release into the night. Like the candles at the vigil, these lanterns are ultimately a sign of hope, hope that one day their lost princess would return home. In the same way, the Easter vigil candles symbolises the hope won by Christ on the cross, that we too, if we follow the light, may one day come home ... "

Soundtrack credits: artistic covers from the Tangled OST (Alan Menken): I see the Light (SamYungOfficial), Kingdom Dance Tavern version (Colm R. McGuinness). 

We can only access our inner worlds symbolically, and our myths and fairytales have always helped us do this. Explore how Atreyu's journey mirrors Bastian's real-world experiences, revealing how the real hero's journey lies within.

Soundtrack credits: tracks are borrowed from the OST of The Neverending Story (by Klaus Doldinger)