Yooper Catholic Podcast

Jesus gives the title 'Paraclete' to the Holy Spirit, which can be translated 'Advocate,' 'Intercessor,' or 'Comforter.' And Jesus calls him the 'Spirit of truth.' In this episode, Father Ryan explains how the Holy Spirit brings consolation by impressing the life of Jesus into our souls, so we have experiential knowledge of living 'in Christ.'

Biology tells us fascinating things about living beings and life processes, but why is there life in the first place? How does matter become so highly organized into cells and complex organisms? Jesus tells us he is the way, the truth, and the life. In this episode, Fr. Ryan examines how Jesus is the answer to the big questions of life, truth, and goodness, and how we can experience Jesus more in our daily life.

The image of Jesus as a shepherd can seem tame, but shepherds are those who embrace the danger and sacrifice of staying up all night keeping watch for wolves. They thrive on danger and stress and sacrifice. In this episode, Fr. Ryan considers how we can open our hearts to share in this same spirit of Jesus the good shepherd.

On the Road to Emmaus, the disciples were disillusioned, confused, sad, and discouraged. But Jesus draws near and walks with them, wanting to communicate himself to them when it seems all hope is lost. In this episode, Fr. Ryan shares with us how to relate to Jesus and shares stories about God working good among people of Ishpeming during the evil of this pandemic.

What does it mean to say "I believe"? What is the meaning of Christian faith? In this episode, Father Ryan explores these questions as he reflects on the Gospel from Divine Mercy Sunday, where we see Thomas the apostle move from unbelief to belief. And Jesus says to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen, but yet believe."

With our Easter joy being overshadowed by bad news and quarantines, we're all being challenged to reflect even more on the true meaning of Easter. In this episode, Fr. Ryan helps us reflect on God's desire for us that is revealed in the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This Palm Sunday we hear the Passion of Jesus according to St. Matthew. Matthew records for us the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to encourage us when we struggle to accept God's will for our lives. Jesus is with us in this current crisis, to teach us to pray and give us an example of how to respond.

Like the Samaritan woman in Sunday's Gospel, Servant of God Dorothy Day experienced the pain of numerous tumultuous relationships before encountering Jesus, who quenched her thirst for love. She found meaning to her life through the works of mercy and implementing the Sermon on the Mount as far as she could. In this episode, Fr. Ryan examines Dorothy's life and teachings and how we can take personal responsibility to serve the needs of others and find in them the face of God.

The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' divinity shining through his humanity. Jesus' presence continues to radiate through the faces of the poor and suffering members of his Body. St. Vincent de Paul teaches us to see Jesus in the poor and respond to His presence with faith-filled acts of charity. In this episode, Fr. Ryan examines St. Vincent's life and lessons for us this Lent.

Lent has begun! It's a time to purify ourselves from unhealthy attachments and sin, and grow in love of God and neighbor. It's a time to seek anew the presence of Jesus in the hungry, thirsty, sick, poor, lonely, and sorrowful. Jesus united himself with our suffering humanity, and it's there we'll find him still. In this episode, Fr. Ryan looks at some Church Fathers, and their example and teaching about encountering Jesus in the poor, and how we are transformed into the divine likeness through mercy and kindness and generosity to the poor.