The Catholic Experience

The Way, the Truth, and the Lies

This is the last free After Show. Future After Show episodes will be subscriber-only, availalble on my website.Description:Meditation on "Truth vs. Lies". Sort of an after-show to last Sunday's podcast ("What is Truth?"). Also a special announcement during that show. Don't miss this one.Highlight Timestamps(04:23 - 06:33) Concept of Truth in Catholic Philosophy (129 Seconds)(10:30 - 11:31) Finding Rest Through Humility (62 Seconds)(13:27 - 14:21) Pontius Pilate's Political Interrogation of Jesus (54 Seconds)(20:58 - 22:59) The Power of Truth and Lies (121 Seconds)(25:51 - 27:11) Maintaining Truth in Deceptive Cultures (79 Seconds)(32:18 - 33:47) Definition and Practice of Truth (89 Seconds)(35:45 - 36:49) Podcast Schedule and Updates (64 Seconds)
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What is Truth? Part 1

Truth is not merely a factually accurate statement. It is nothing less than the life force of all reality. So what happens when#Catholics lose our ability to distinguish real Truth from the lies so cleverly disguised as the real Truth?Bonus Segment at the top of the show, I share a story from my Marine Corps days as an example I give advice for those experiencing spiritual struggle, or those struggling with repeating the same sin over and over again. TIMECODES(00:03) - Exploring Truth in the Catholic Experience(06:06) - The Way to Holiness(13:32) - The Era of Saints(24:24) - Truth and Understanding in Catholicism(33:09) - Ontological and Logical Truth Explanation(40:18) - The Relationship Between Good and Truth(52:12) - Loss of Ability to Discern Truth
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Focus and Attention

 Most people today suffer from a lack of focus, misplaced focus, or an overabundance of attention on the wrong things. This is a human phenomenon, not just a "Catholic" one. But it's particularly dangerous in the spiritual life, to faith, and to Catholic identity.In this episode I explain the wisdom of "focus and attention" demonstrated from a story from my boxing days when I was put face to face with an opponent known as "Hurts." I then apply that wisdom in an analysis of whether hell is very populated, or, as the Holy Father hopes, completely empty. How does good focus and right attention come into play there?As a bonus I also offer some words of wisdom to those suffering through spiritual darkness or dryness. I also recorded a rather substantial after-show to this episode, available on my website to paid subscribers ($5/month) or for free on my Discord server.ChaptersQuestion about Your Past Lent Seasons - 3:25Beaten by 'Nones' 4:58Three Problems with Nones - 1. Religion is more than 'Right and Wrong 9:15Can Nones Find God Without Religion? - 12:28Problem of Evangelization - 16:00Spiritual Darkness - 18:45Advice for dealing with the Darkness - 22:41Topic - Focus and Attention, Boxing Story - 36:19Catholics focus on the Wrong Things - 45:30Pope Francis doesn't impress/bother/worry me - 47:14Running and Hiding, the TLM, and 'The Mass' - 50:09Focus on the Positives - 52:14Applying the Lesson to 'Hell' - 57:11Better Hope that Hell is Empty! And a personal story - 58:23Wouldn't you Rather Hell Be Empty? - 1:02:17Dark Night, and Spiritual DesolationThrough the DarkJesus Rescues Us from the Dark of our Prisons   
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There’s No Crying in Catholicism

Ever wrestled with the persistent shadow of cynicism within the Catholic community? Join me as I explore this pervasive issue.My reaction to "Catholic Cynicism" and Catholics' frustrations with the state of the Church. This is not be for the faint of heart! There's no crying in baseball—or in Catholicism. It's time to get tough. Chapter Timestamps(00:03) - Addressing Frustration in the ChurchCatholic cynicism and negativity in the community discussed, with emphasis on the need for a resilient faith.(08:43) - Frustrations in the Military and ChurchMilitary life's emotional challenges, Catholic Church frustrations, and the importance of unity and understanding in times of disagreement.(23:18) - Challenges and Frustrations in Catholic ChurchFrustration with recent church document on same-sex unions, administrative issues, attracting young men to seminary, and seeking guidance from our lady.(29:17) - Navigating Disillusionment in the ChurchDisillusionment with church hierarchy should not hinder personal growth in faith; focus on spiritual practices and devotion.(44:14) - Catholic Adventurer's Special Episode FarewellFollow me on social media, visit CatholicAdventurer.com, and support my family during financial challenges. Share and spread the message. Blessings to all.Below is my original "rant" on this matter, posted to X before the episode. Thinking of leaving the Church because of "frustrations?"If you're thinking of leaving the Church because you're "frustrated" with things, I say this:You overestimate the value of your frustrations. -Nothing is stopping you from growing in holiness other than what you choose to focus on—the things that frustrate you.-Nothing you see in the Church today is new. Nothing. We've seen it all before across 2000 years. Don't take your perceptions too seriously. You're not that important (neither are any of us)-Some of the things you're frustrated about are fires stoked by people who are playing the devil's game in media (Catholic and secular). It's where you get your information, and they also guide what information you look for. They lie, distort, magnify the insignificant, diminish significant in every story. Very few of them are balanced. You should be frustrated with them.-God always wins. God always has the last laugh. Why should you worry? -The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, cared for by the Holy Virgin, and is the spouse of Jesus Christ. Can you care for the Church better than they do? Can you even come close? No? Then stop worrying. The Church is in good hands.I say this a lot, and I want to say it again here. Catholicism is not the Boy Scouts, it's the military. Straighten up, and toughen up. "I'm frustrated!" is for boy/Girl Scouts. If the Scouts is what you're after, there are 187 protestant denominations waiting for you.
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The Pulse #3 - Flubs, Flops and ”Falls”

-Confession “buzz” at Denver Catholic High School that developed a novel way of getting students into the convessional—or a new way to get out of Math class.-Chris Christie flip-flops on Gay Marriage: We're already seeing misintrupretations of  Fiducia Supplicans work its way into the secular mind. How might it manifest in potential lawsuits against the Catholic Church?-Lessons from the “fall” of Church Militant: Lies and falsehoods are being trapped and exposed as Church Militant and Michael Voris appear to be losing the final battle for survival in a defamation lawsuit. What should we learn from this epic?Concluding with a call to guard our Catholic identity, I reflect on the sway of Catholic media personalities like Michael Voris and the importance of critical thinking in our faith journey. We cast a critical eye on who we allow to shape our beliefs, reminding listeners to seek figures who truly embody Christ's teachings. As we bid farewell to the year and look ahead, join me on a quest for understanding truth and goodness, ensuring our faith remains anchored in the heart of Jesus.Chapter Timestamps(00:00) - Denver Catholic High School Buzzer ConfessionDenver Catholic High School uses buzzers to streamline confession process, reducing anxiety and judgment for students.(07:19) - Chris Christie's Shift on Gay MarriageThe Vatican's stance on same-sex blessings may lead to legal challenges for the Catholic Church and concerns about misinterpretations.(14:06) - Chris Christie on Changing BeliefsChris Christie's shift on same-sex unions due to societal change and evolving religious doctrine, emphasizing teaching younger generation the rationale behind beliefs.(22:46) - Warning, Church MilitantChurch Militant's struggles, legal battle, and influence on Catholic culture serve as a cautionary tale for blindly following leaders.(31:12) - Guarding Catholicity From False InfluencesDiscernment is crucial when consuming Catholic media and personalities, and we must guard our faith journey.(40:35) - Exploring Truth and GoodnessExploring the relationship between truth and goodness and their inseparable connection, with the Catholic Adventurer in 2024.
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Blessing Same-Sex (and other) Couples - A Twitter Spaces Session

This is a recording of a recent "Spaces" session I hosted in X (Twitter). In it I share my thoughts and reactions following the latest guideliens from the Vatican on blessing people in same-sex relationships, and blessing those in irregular relationships.Join me, the Catholic adventurer, as I navigate the turbulent waters surrounding the topic of blessing same-sex couples and those in irregular relationships within the Catholic Church. It's a controversial issue, and in this session, I share my personal reflections on the balance between upholding doctrine and extending God's grace and mercy. I ponder the dilemma: How can we expect repentance without access to God's assistance in the form of a simple blessing? It may be the only access to God's grace they have, when separated from the sacraments, and without going to Mass? This complex debate is not just about theology; it's about the very hearts and lives of believers seeking their place in the Church's embrace.Highlight Timestamps(00:21 - 02:30) Thoughts on Blessing Same Sex Couples (129 Seconds)(04:52 - 06:41) Debating Church Blessings for Couples (109 Seconds)(10:50 - 11:58) Recognizing Need for Blessings (68 Seconds)(14:58 - 16:01) Marriage Dynamics in Different Situations (63 Seconds)(19:21 - 20:41) Church's  Wisdom and Care (79 Seconds)(23:36 - 25:50) Distorting Church Documents and Causing Scandal (134 Seconds)(31:18 - 32:44) Blessings for Same-Sex Unions in Malawi (86 Seconds)(34:49 - 37:10) Vatican Doctrine on Blessings Clarified (141 Seconds)(38:52 - 39:21) Opinions on a Divisive Topic (29 Seconds)
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Gender and Personhood

There's a lot being said about "gender" in modern discourse, on the news, and on social media. But very little of it is rooted in the truth. For Truth, you go to the Catholic Church! My special guest Fr. Peter Dugandzic, a priest and moral theologian for the Diocese of Rockville Center and I discuss what gender is, what it means, and why it's fundamental to the reality of human personhood. Many people reduce gender to genitalia, or believe that gender is fluid and changeable. There is also the misconception that gender is "cookie cutter". A special problem in the Church is that many young Catholics are particularly ignorant of Church teaching on gender and are surprised to learn that Church teaching is opposed to modern gender theory/ideas. This lack of knowledge and abundance of misunderstanding and misinformation has to change. Gender is much more than genitalia, sex, or behavioral patterns. It's the power of our personhood! When ideas about gender are confused, the power of our personhood is disoriented or disabled. The current gender crisis is not new. It's the fruit of a cultural gender-disorientation that has been ongoing over the past 75 years.  
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Mary, the New Rachel

Talking about the Blessed Mother on this this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. I open the show with a [longer than expected] retelling of what lead to my deciding to do the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and what the consecration led to. Then, we all know that Mary is "the new Eve." But did you know she can also be seen as "the new Rachel?" Who is Rachel, and how does she prefigure the Blessed Mother? I explain why Mary is "the new Rachel" and what that means for us as her children.
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Minicast - ”Conservative, Liberal” Don’t belong in Catholicism

The Catholic Experience Minicast; a segment from a subscriber-only episode - Why do the words '#Conservative' and '#Liberal' have no place in #Catholicism? What do those words mean from a Catholic perspective?  This was a segment from "The Church Is Not the Point", a subscriber-only episode. I'm providing this segment to the general audience. Enjoy!  
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Rome Speaks! Will Germany, and others listen?

Bishop Robert Barron expresses strong disagreement with the Synod's report on development of moral teaching (and hits it out of the park!). And the Vatican issues scathing letter, and strong warnings to the German Cardinals in response to the the [mis]direction of their "Synodal Way".I also explain why faith in the Church and faith in Jesus go hand-in-hand, and I root all of this in a lesson on the virtues of Patience and Hope. In the final segment I explain why "this is the way"LinksBishop Barron in ‘frank disagreement’ with Synod on Synodality’s report on ‘development of moral teaching’Vatican draws line on women’s ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops
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