Why Catholic?

Pentecost marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Christian Church, but why do we call it Pentecost, and why did God choose this particular day to give the gift of the Holy Spirit? In this special episode, Justin Hibbard details the events of the first Pentecost (or Shavuot) at Mount Sinai, and why the fulfillment in Jerusalem is a work of God’s poetry.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Like what you hear? Leave a 5-star rating and a comment on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In our continued series on salvation, Justin Hibbard explains why the Catholic Church distinguishes between venial and mortal sin. How does Scripture distinguish between the two? What does the Bible say are the consequences of our sins? More importantly, how should we frame sin in light of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Like what you hear? Leave a 5-star rating and a comment on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In continuing the series on the Catholic view of salvation, Justin Hibbard addresses the doctrine of purgatory. Hear how the death of the famous Protestant evangelist Ravi Zacharias convinced Justin of the need for purgatory, and why he thinks every Christian believes in some version of purgatory. Most importantly, you’ll learn why purgatory is the necessary preparation we need before entering Heaven.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Justin Hibbard continues the series on salvation by talking about the purpose of salvation. What does it mean to become a saint? What does it mean to enter into eternal life? Christians historically understood that preparing for death was an important part of the Christian life. Why and how can we do that?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Justin Hibbard continues the series on salvation by diving into the Catholic view that salvation is a process, not a one-and-done event. Why does the Catholic Church believe that one can lose their salvation? Why do they reject the Protestant views of eternal security or once-saved-always-saved? And what is the ultimate assurance of salvation for Catholics?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

So far the Why Catholic podcast has focused on the sacraments, but what is the point of sacraments? In this episode, Justin Hibbard begins a new series on the Catholic view of soteriology - the theology of salvation. In this episode you’ll learn about God’s breathtaking grace and mercy that is the heart of the Catholic faith.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Father David Michael’s Instagram post about hearing 1167 confessions during Holy Week.

In our continuing series on the Sacrament of Holy Orders, Justin Hibbard interviews Deacon Tom Tosti - who serves in the Diocese of Salt Lake and was instrumental in Justin’s journey into the Catholic Church. Deacon Tom shares his Catholic upbringing, what inspired him to become a deacon, his role as a deacon, and how he balances his ministry on top of full responsibilities.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Tekton Woodworks

* Turbo Catholic - Deacon Tom’s Sermon Blog

* Deacon Tom Builds Faith and Furniture - Salt Lake Tribune

* History of the Diaconate

Justin Hibbard continues the mini-series on the Sacrament of Holy Orders with a special interview with Father John Paul Kern. Like Justin, Father John Paul grew up in a Protestant home and graduated from Annapolis Area Christian School. In this episode, he shares his story on becoming Catholic, and why he decided to become a Dominican Priest. He also shares the everyday responsibilities and some of the common challenges of the priesthood.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage

* Dominican Friars Foundation

* Father John Paul’s Interview on the Coming Home Network

* Follow Father John Paul on Instagram

* Follow Father John Paul on Facebook

In commemoration of Good Friday, Justin Hibbard shares an original poem called Pietà, reflecting on the moment when Mary held the body of Jesus after He was lowered from the cross. In the show notes, there are a number of depictions of Pietà if you would like to meditate on the image while you listen to the poem. The text of the poem is also listed in the show notes as well.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Show Notes:

* Pietà sculpture by Michelangelo

* Pietà painting by Paul Armesto

* Pietà digital art by Shreeharsha Kulkarni

* Pietà painting by Jason Jenicke

* Pietà depiction from Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ

* Music - “Agnus Dei” by Samuel Barber

Pietà by Justin Hibbard

The mother held her sonThe last time like the firstEternity wrapped in swaddling clothesIn a momentIn a loving gazeAn angel’s promise of hopeA sword-piercing pain

The mother held her sonLike Eve held her dead AbelHer wails echoing through the streetsOf ZionThrough time and spaceEven the angel guarding EdenFelt it move his feathersBaptizing him in water and windHe wept

The mother held her sonHis head against her breastsA rose wrapped with thornsPushing into her chestAdam’s curseWeaved into a crown

The mother held her sonThe last time like the firstCovered in bloodFirst hersNow hisSalvation in twisted strands of DNAFilled to the brimLike new wineBursting through skin and flesh

The mother held her sonThe last time like the firstAngels stunnedStrangers peeringThe Ark exposedThrough a shorn robeThe word of her wombNow cradled in her armsShe wrapped him in linenEternity in swaddling clothesThe first time like the lastAnd laid him down to restIn a crèche

Justin Hibbard continues the mini-series on the Sacrament of Holy Orders with the Apostolic Succession. What authority did Jesus pass onto His disciples, and was their leadership clearly respected in the early churches? How did the disciples choose successors? And how did the early Church settle doctrine and power disputes?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Show Notes:

* Quotes from the Early Church Fathers regarding the Apostolic Succession

* Letter to the Corinthians by Clement

* Against Heresies by Irenaeus

* Prescription Against Heretics by Tertullian

* Church History by Eusebius

* Lumen Gentrium