All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri

How do we remain faithful to Jesus amid those misunderstandings, pressures, and even persecutions that we face living in a secular culture? It's not easy being Catholic today, but if we look at the story of Israel in Salvation history, we can find great strength and consolation. Today, Dr. Sri teaches us how to live as strangers in a strange land by looking at prophet Daniel in the Bible and how he remained faithful to God in times of persecution. Snippet from the Show _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

If Mary was immaculately conceived, is she really human? Did she actually have free will? Today, Dr. Sri explains the dogma of the immaculate conception and helps us understand how we can still relate to her even though she was sinless. Snippet from the Show Though sinless, Mary was nevertheless completely human. She laughed with her cousin Elizabeth, walked by faith with Joseph, and wept at the foot of the cross. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

There are four virtues that every human person needs to live a happy and successful life- prudence, temperance, courage and justice. Today, Dr. Sri explains how these cardinal virtues allow us to flourish in our careers, personal goals, and relationships. Snippet from the Show Prudence, temperance, courage and justice are the four cardinal virtues that set us free to pursue the good. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Advent is a season of expectation, longing and hope. No matter how chaotic the world may be around us, we place our joy and hope in Christ because we know he will save us. Today, Dr. Sri unpacks a prophecy in the book of Isaiah that brings us to the heart of advent and also offers us hope in our turbulent times. By understanding the biblical context of Christ’s birth, we can enter more deeply into this beautiful season in the Church. Snippet from the Show “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” -Isaiah 11:1-2 _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

We aret trained to run businesses, build skyscrapers and create rockets, but we don’t know how to build the most basic things in life; friendship, marriage, and family. Today, Dr. Sri continues his discussion on virtue and teaches us how to educate ourselves in the virtues, how to intentionally practice the virtues in our daily lives, and how to rely on God’s grace to grow in virtue. Snippet from the Show "We get training to run businesses, build skyscrapers and create rockets, but we don’t know how to build the most basic things in life; friendship, marriage, and family. " _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

It’s not enough to just have good values, we need virtue to put those values into practice and really see a difference in our lives. Drawing from the Catechism and Scripture, Dr. Sri explains what virtue is, and why it’s important to have virtue in order to be truly free. Snippet from the Show “The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.”- CC 1803 _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do you long to be free on the inside? All of us struggle with fears in life that keep us from achieving interior freedom and peace. Today, Dr. Sri encourages us to cultivate an interior freedom that does not depend on external circumstances. He walks us through the three stages of achieving interior freedom and explains why our character plays a big role in our journey to interior freedom. Snippet from the Show "We live in a society that may appear to have many outward freedoms, but we are far from achieving interior freedom." _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic Text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do you find yourself struggling with certain Catholic moral teachings or doctrines sometimes? Today, Dr. Sri explains the difference between doubting and turning to God with our difficulties accepting everything the Catholic Church teaches. Using examples from the Gospel, he offers us practical tips to help us entrust our questions to God with great faith. Snippet from the Show “Doubt is trusting our own intellect more than the revelation of God.” _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do we really see a difference in our lives every time we receive Jesus in Holy Communion? It can be easy to receive the Eucharist frequently without realizing the power it can have in our lives. Today, Dr. Sri explains the Biblical roots of Holy Communion to help us appreciate it better, and walk away changed every time we receive Jesus at Mass. Snippet from the Show It can be easy to receive the Eucharist frequently without realizing the power it can have in our lives. Let us never forget that when we receive the Eucharist, we receive God himself. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

How do we know if we are truly making the right moral decisions? Our conscience affects all kinds of decisions we make in life- from the shows we watch to the way we vote and everything in between. Today, Dr. Sri explains the Catholic view on conscience and emphasizes the importance of forming it according to God’s plan. Snippet from the Show Our conscience is not just a vague feeling, it is the very voice of God echoing in our hearts and minds that propels us towards the good and the truth. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

This week the Catholic church celebrates the feast of our Lady of the Rosary and honors her miraculous intercession in the iconic Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Dr. Sri shares with us the historical context and story behind this important feast and reminds us of the power of Our Lady’s intercession when we entrust seemingly impossible situations to her. Snippet from the Show On October 7th 1571, our Lady intervened in the Battle of Lepanto and changed the course of Western civilization. Let us also turn to Mary in our personal battles and entrust the impossible to her. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Angels are real and they are at work in the world. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the archangels- St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. Dr.Sri explains the nature of angels and teaches us how to develop a friendship with the angels that surround us. Snippet from the Show The angels are ready and eager to help us fight the spiritual battles in our souls, in our families, and in the culture around us. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do you long to feel more united to Jesus at Mass? It’s easy to just go through the motions at Mass when we don’t understand the rich symbolism behind all the rituals. Today, Dr. Sri uncovers the biblical symbolism behind the Liturgy of the Eucharist so we can more fully unite our whole lives to Christ during the Holys Sacrifice of the Mass. Snippet from the Show In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we have the opportunity to give our whole selves to Christ as he offers up his whole self to the Father. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do you ever struggle to forgive the people in your life when they hurt you? When people hurt us, it’s easy to get frustrated and defensive but Jesus invites us to be compassionate and forgiving. Today, Dr. Sri teaches us three ways to cultivate a heart of forgiveness in our daily lives. Snippet from the Show "Forgiveness is not always easy; ir is one of the most unselfish acts of love."- Fr. Jacques Philippe _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Mary’s nativity. Mary’s life is a source of wisdom for all of us, particularly when we face uncertain seasons and moments in life. In this episode, Dr. Sri unpacks the mystery of Mary’s fiat, and shows us how we can learn from Mary when life takes unexpected turns. Snippet from the Show Mary’s fiat was not a passive surrender, but rather a joyful abandonment and longing to fulfill the dreams of her beloved God. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Sometimes we approach the Gospel readings as a sitcom rather than a series. Today, Dr. Sri dives into the Gospel of Matthew to show us how the stories in the Gospel are not isolated events. Dr. Sri teaches us about four key moments in the Gospel of Matthew and explains the historical context behind these stories to grasp the larger story revealed in the life of Jesus. Snippet from the Show The stories we hear in the Gospel are not isolated events. If we truly understand the larger context of these stories, we will marvel at the grand love story God reveals in the life of Jesus. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

This week, the Catholic Church celebrates the great feast of St. Augustine. Many of us are familiar with his first conversion story but we often forget his second conversion story. Today, Dr. Sri shares St.Augustine’s ongoing conversion and how we can learn from this saint’s complete reliance on God in his weakest moments. Snippet from the Show “It is not as though I do not suffer wounds , oh Lord, but I feel rather that you heal them over and over again”- St. Augustine _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Our hunger for God cannot be forgotten, even during COVID we can find ways to encounter him. Today, Dr.Sri uses St.John Paul II’s leadership and perseverance in Communist Poland to inspire us to seek the Sacraments and cling to Christ in a safe but faithful way during COVID. Snippet from the Show Our hunger for God cannot be forgotten, may we continue to seek him with all of our hearts no matter how difficult our external circumstances are. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Clare of Assisi, a heroic saint who was known for her courage, perseverance, and indomitability in times of trial. In this episode, Dr. Sri shares riveting stories about St. Clare and offers us valuable lessons we can learn from her life. This episode was originally recorded back in 2018 right outside the church of St. Clare in Assisi while Dr. Sri was on pilgrimage. Snippet from the Show _ _ What made St. Clare so heroic was her indominability in moments of trial. When her faith was tested, she turned to Jesus, clung to the altar, dropped to her knees, and ran to the Eucharist. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Jesus’ Transfiguration is not just a magnificent scene in his life, it’s a sign of what Jesus wants to do in all of us, he wants us to share in his glory. Today, Dr. Sri shows us the parallels between Moses at Mt. Sinai and Jesus at Mt. Tabor during the Transfiguration. Most importantly, he reminds us how Jesus wants to change us so we can also radiate God’s glory. Snippet from the Show “Jesus wants to meet us in the valley so he can take us up the mountain of Transfiguration, and make us so radiant that we begin to reflect the Glory of God.” _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Do you ever have moments or seasons in life when you don’t feel close to God? Although dryness in prayer can be frustrating and defeating, it is a natural part of our relationship with God. Today, Dr. Sri offers us advice to navigate those times when God feels far away, and encourages us to remain faithful no matter how we may feel in prayer. Snippet from the Show “One act of trust at such moments, gives greater glory to God than hours passed if prayer is filled with consolations.”- St. Faustina _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

There is a battle for our minds and modern media often presents images and narratives about life and happiness that are contrary to the Gospel. Today, Dr.Sri explains why the media we consume matters and challenges us to examine whether the media we use is leading us closer to God. Snippet from the Show “God made us in such a way that what we put in our minds matters.” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Have you ever wondered where Christ fits in the story of salvation? The letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament beautifully shows us how Christ is the fulfillment of the old covenant and the pinnacle of this story. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Swafford gives us an insight into his new study on the letter to the Hebrews, which unveils the heavenly grandeur of the new covenant. In Christ, we can now experience heaven on earth! Snippet from the Show “What you get out of Hebrews is that the new covenant is not a text, it’s a living liturgical reality” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Parables in the Gospels represent a key turning point in Jesus' public ministry. By unfolding the details of parables, we can better understand their purpose and context in Jesus’ teaching. In preparation of this upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, on the parable of the sower, Dr. Sri unlocks the secret of parables to help us integrate them into our lives. Snippet from the Show “The more we understand the historical context of these parables, the more we can make a direct application that really challenges us today.” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Falling in love is easy, but persevering in marriage can be challenging. In this episode, Dr. Sri explains the difference between eros and agape love, and reminds us that marriage must go beyond our own personal feelings and emotions. He offers couples four ways to move from eros to agape love in order love like Christ in marriage. Snippet from the Show “If you want to grow in agape love in your marriage, you’ve got to turn to the source of agape love itself, Jesus Christ.” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Distracted during Mass? Focusing on the liturgy of the word during Mass can be difficult, especially when you have pressing issues on your mind. To help focus on God’s voice in the scriptures, Dr. Sri shares three practical ways we can prepare our hearts for the liturgy of the word. Snippet from the Show “Every time you go to Mass, there’s a personal word that God has for you. Are you welcoming it into your life?” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

This week’s episode is from a LIVE Facebook event that was done on Corpus Christi last week. Dr. Sri covers the beauty of the Eucharist, and answers questions from listeners. Snippet from the Show “The greatest place to offer your life as a gift from God, to worship him, is in the Mass, because you’re united with Jesus who made the perfect gift of self.” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Sri is joined by his wife, Beth Sri, as they talk about the Holy Trinity and its relationship with marriage and family life. They talk about things like how love plays its part in the Trinity, fighting perfectionism in marriage, and practical ways to build unity in your marriage and family. Snippet From the Show “The real goal in marriage is embracing the truth of our imperfections.” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic and so many other life-altering events taking place in our world, Dr. Sri poses a question that is very important for Catholics to consider: Should physical health be our first priority? Drawing from the Saints and from Church doctrine, this episode reminds us that while physical death is inevitable for all of us, what comes after death is determined by how we prioritize here on earth. Snippet from the Show “The true foundation of our lives is God. ” For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic Text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

As we approach the feast of Pentecost, Dr. Sri explains the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: what they are, where they come from, and how they are important to our faith. _Snippet from the Show “We’re talking about the simple things: what God wants to do in every ordinary Christian is to guide them, prompt them, and for them to live according to his plan.”_ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

This week, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord! In honor of this solemnity, Dr. Sri spends time reflecting on the days surrounding the Ascension, and what they could mean for our faith. Dr. Sri will be speaking on “Men, Women & the Mystery of Love” at the Free virtual LoveLife Conference. Text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

Even in Catholic circles, it’s not uncommon to hear, “Emotions are neither right nor wrong.” But would St. Thomas Aquinas fully agree? In this week's episode, Dr. Sri encourages us to seek emotional healing from God and gives us a tool from St. Thomas Aquinas to help us evaluate whether our desires and emotional reactions are firmly rooted in Christian virtue. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

It’s officially May, and you know what that means: It’s Mary’s month! In today’s special episode, recorded on location at the Wedding Church in Cana, Dr. Sri explains the unprecedented moment during the wedding feast wherein Jesus calls his mother, “Woman." Dr. Sri then points out the often overlooked choice that Mary faced in response to Jesus’ strange words. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.

You may have heard of St. John of the Cross’ “Dark Night of the Soul,” but do you know how to endure it? Using the writings of St. John of the Cross, Dr. Edward Sri explains how to turn to God when you don’t feel his presence.

Without the Resurrection, the story of Salvation is only half complete! In today’s episode, Dr. Sri explains how the Resurrection confirms Christ’s divinity and enables us to join God in heaven as his children. Dr. Sri also reflects on how the Resurrection fulfills the Old Testament, pointing out how Jonah and the Whale foreshadows Christ’s resurrection and our call to spread the Gospel to all we meet. For full episode shownotes, visit AscensionPress.com/AllThingsCatholic or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

In today’s episode, we focus on Luke 24: 36-43 and discover that Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in the Upper Room was about more than simply convincing them that he had risen from the dead. Jesus did then what he wants to do with us now: he broke through the walls of their hearts, calling them to face their weakness and meeting that weakness with his peace. For full episode shownotes, visit AscensionPress.com/allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

Every single detail in the Good Friday story shows us God’s love and the fulfillment of his amazing plan for salvation. In today’s episode we look at seven symbolic details of the Crucifixion—the climax of Salvation history. Through these details, we gain immense insight into who Christ is, how he fulfills the Old Testament, and the nature of his relationship to the Church. For full episode shownotes visit AscensionPress.com/allthingscatholic or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

As Holy Week draws near, let’s turn our focus away from the events of our world and instead focus on Jesus. The best way to do this is to dive into the Scriptures and meditate on certain moments leading up to and through Jesus’ Passion. Dr. Sri suggests four scripture passages for reflection, walking through Jesus’ Agony in the Garden to demonstrate a method of meditation that will enable you to grow closer to Jesus this Holy Week. For full shownotes, visit [AscensionPress.com](media.ascensionpress.com) or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

Turning to Scripture can help dispel our worries and fears. Dr. Sri sits down with Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, author of Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life, to talk about the ways that God shows up in Scripture during the sufferings of his people, and what we can learn from these examples in this period of uncertainty. See the full shownotes at ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic or subscribe by texting “allthingscatholic” to 33-777

Jesus wants to meet us in our uncertainty, our fears, and our disappointments. He wants to do something in our souls. In all of this, he’s inviting us to rely more on him and not on ourselves. On today’s special edition podcast, my wife Beth joins me to address unique challenges Catholics are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We respond to listener questions about financial fears, the dangers of working outside the home when one has vulnerable family members, discernment without time before the Blessed Sacrament, and diocesan recommendations to receive Communion on the hand. We then give you tips to help you respond with openness to the graces the Lord wants to bring to you during this time. For full episode shownotes, visit AscensionPress.com or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

Today’s special episode reflects on the escalating climate around COVID-19 and provides three concrete actions to take when faced with Sunday Mass cancellations in your area. What should you do on Sunday if your diocese has been affected by the novel coronavirus or your health requires you to self-isolate? Tune in for a step-by-step guide to keeping the Sabbath holy and trusting in the Lord during these times of great uncertainty. For full episode shownotes, visit AscensionPress.com or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

We celebrate the Transfiguration as we inch closer to Christ’s Passion, but it’s easy to forget that the two events are closely related. During the Transfiguration, God tells Peter, James, and John, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” What does God mean when he says “listen to him”? Dr. Sri explains the hidden message embedded in this command. For full episode shownotes, visit AscensionPress.com or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

Society preaches three seemingly innocent phrases: “Be true to yourself;” “You be you;” and “You do you.” They all communicate the same philosophy: everyone should unapologetically do what he or she wants, because that’s the path to freedom. Dr. Sri argues how much more freeing and incredible it is to follow the call of the Christian Gospel, which shows us how we are most true to ourselves when we die to ourselves and “put on Christ.” Snippet from the Show The world tells us “you be you,” but Jesus didn’t die so that I could just be “me”... he died so that I could become like him. For full episode resources, text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777

A device of torture, shame, and suffering, the image of the cross struck fear into the hearts of first century Jews. Against this backdrop, Jesus tells his disciples, “Pick up your cross and follow me.” And he doesn’t just say to pick it up once; he says we must do this daily if we want to be his disciples. To pick up our cross, we must accept and embrace the sufferings that God has allowed in our lives, knowing that they can sanctify us. It's not easy, but the paradox is that we will find joy by picking up our cross and following the savior who took up his own cross for our sake. For full episode shownotes, text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777.

What are the three essential practices that all Catholics are called to embrace during the Lenten Season? What does the desert have to do with these practices? This Lenten season, let's commit wholeheartedly to the three disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. By doing so, we go into the desert of our hearts to encounter our Lord and hear his spirit prompting, challenging, and encouraging us.

Peace in the present moment doesn’t come easily. It’s part of human nature to fixate on disappointments of the past, and if we’re honest, the self-talk can be brutal: “How could I ever have said that?” “Why did I make that horrible mistake?” “Will everyone remember me for this?” Worries about the future can be overwhelming, too: “Will everything turn out OK with this relationship?” “What if I make the wrong choice?” “What if we don’t have enough?” Today’s episode focuses on how to gain peace by inviting Christ’s presence into all these moments of anxiety. By totally surrendering and entrusting your past, present, and future to the Lord, you can rest in his love, here in the present moment.

On Candlemas, Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus and bless the candles that will be used in the Church's liturgical life throughout the following year. Reflecting on the prophesy of Simeon that we read in Scripture on this great feast, Dr. Sri explains how Jesus’ Presentation marks a climactic moment in all of Salvation History. Today’s episode draws amazing connections between God’s “glory” in the Old Testament, Jesus’ incarnation in the New Testament, and Christ’s continued real presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Pontius Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he didn’t have the courage to stand up for truth. So, he allowed Jesus to be crucified. While literal crucifixions don’t happen today (at least not in our society), that’s figuratively what happens when we don’t stand up for truth—people suffer. Standing up for truth is often incredibly uncomfortable, especially when we’re facing today’s hot-button issues. But Jesus tells us that the truth will set us free. Only by trusting in that promise will we find the courage and the fortitude to do what’s right—and say what’s true—in the face of criticism.

St. Mother Teresa's chapel was bare, austere, and simple, yet two simple words were written on the wall where a large crucifix hung: “I thirst.” What do you think these two words meant to Mother Teresa? Is this phrase simply a statement of God’s collective love for mankind, or did Mother Teresa understand it to mean more than that? Today’s episode begins by reflecting on this simple, yet amazingly profound phrase that reminds us of how much Jesus longs for love from each one of us. It ends with the reminder that the way to quench our Lord's thirst is by making time to encounter him in prayer. Snippet from the Show Jesus thirsts for you. He thirsts for your soul, your love, your time, your attention, your surrender. The infinite God begs for your whole-hearted love—how often do you make time to quench his thirst? Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity If you’ve ever had the chance to visit a chapel of the Missionaries of Charity, you’ll notice that they are marked by three characteristics: simplicity, devotion, and austerity. However, in every chapel the sisters have a large crucifix, with the words “I thirst” painted next to it. These words are among the last words said by Jesus before dying on the cross, and they acted as a constant reminder to St. Mother Teresa about the Lord’s love for each one of us. The Theme of “Thirst” The word “thirst” can be found several times throughout the Bible and within the writings of the saints, but Mother Teresa had a special way of understanding this phrase. Often times, when people think of thirst, they think of people’s thirst for God, such as in Psalm 42: “As a heart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” And in the writings of St. Augustine when he says: “...our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” However, another way we can look at thirst is through God’s love for each of us, and further, his thirst for souls. St. Mother Teresa takes this even further, explaining that it’s not just God’s thirst of souls in general, but a thirst for her soul, for my soul, and for your soul. She makes this thirst incredibly personal, saying: “At that most difficult time on the cross, Jesus proclaimed “I thirst.” People thought he was thirsty in an ordinary way and gave him vinegar, but it was not for that thirst, it was for our love, for our affection, that intimate attachment to him. He said “I thirst” instead of “give me your love.” “I thirst.” Let us hear him saying it to me, and saying it to you.” Putting This Into Practice Mother Teresa would often encourage her sisters to picture themselves as the subject of the Lord’s thirst, and we can do the same. Take some time to sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and prayerfully imagine Christ calling out your name and saying, “I thirst.” For example, I’d pray, “Edward, I thirst.”  Mother Teresa gives further advice on this prayer, saying: “Just put yourself in front of the tabernacle, don’t let anything disturb you, hear your own name, and “I thirst.” I thirst for purity, I thirst for poverty, I thirst for obedience, I thirst for that whole-hearted love, I thirst for that total surrender. Are we living a contemplative life? Jesus I thirst for that total surrender.” What should be our response? How should we respond to this overwhelming thirst Jesus has for each one of us? Mother Teresa was in awe of this thirst—that the Lord, who’s so great a being, wanted her, little tiny her.  “[How bewildering] that God, who is so big, needs something from me. That he wants my love, he thirsts for my love, he begs for my love. I cannot understand it, I cannot understand it, I cannot understand it." Have you ever been overwhelmed by God’s love? The saints realized how profound God’s love was and how he craves our love and attention. The Woman at the Well If you look at this story under the original Jewish context, Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman becomes much more powerful. Back then, Samaritans were seen as great sinners for their separation from Israel, intermarriage with pagans, and idolatry of pagan gods. Because of this, Jews did not have any relations or contact with the Samaritans. So Jesus spending time with a Samaritan, let alone a Samaritan woman who’s had several impure relationships, was wildly shocking.  Despite her past, however, Jesus seeks to give her a future with him. In John 4 we read that Jesus, for some reason, has a strong urge to go to Samaria, and no doubt to meet this woman. In fact, in John 4:4, Scripture tell us Jesus had to take this route to get to his destination of Galilee, saying: “He had to pass through Samar′ia.”John 4:4 Yet, it’s easy to see on a map that there are other routes Jesus could have taken to get to Galilee. In fact, going through Samaria would have been one of the tougher and more rugged paths to take, as he would have had to go through mountains and rocky terrain, not to mention through a city as hos

We know that spending time in Eucharistic Adoration is an incredible thing, but it’s so easy to get distracted! And when it comes to the practicals, should you sit, stand or kneel? Should you read a spiritual book or write in your journal? What kinds of things should you pray about? How can you listen better and actually hear God’s voice? Father Josh Johnson joins me live at the SLS20 FOCUS conference in Phoenix to share helpful advice on how exactly to spend your time in Eucharistic Adoration. In this conversation, Father Josh shares insights from his own Adoration experiences, the writings of the Saints, Church tradition, and Holy Scriptures that will help you focus on the face of our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. _ ** Snippet from the Show If you wouldn’t look at your cell phone in the middle of your wedding ceremony, why would you look at your cell phone in the middle of your prayer time? _ ** SHOWNOTES What Should You Do in Adoration? What we know: Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity In Adoration, we can encounter God in the Eucharist, in what’s normally called a “holy hour” But the question is, what should we do in a holy hour? Father Josh’s First Holy Hour Fr. Josh first encountered Christ in Adoration at a Steubenville Youth Conference, and the experience was so powerful for him that he vowed to go to Adoration every single day after that. However, when he went to Adoration away from the conference, without the lights and music and incense that Steubenville had, Father found himself not knowing what to do. Father realized that a lot of people are faced with this question in Adoration, which drove him to write his book, Pocket Guide to Adoration. Tips from Father on what we should and shouldn't do in Adoration: We should… Pray vocal prayers: if you’re alone, take the opportunity to pray out loud Bring our Bible: Fulton Sheen says that the Eucharist is the face of Christ, and scripture is the voice of Christ Bring our thoughts and desires to the Lord, and listen to what he says: tell the Lord what’s on your heart and mind, but then stop and listen to what he has to say Meditate on the Gospels: if you’re reading the Bible in Adoration, Fr. Josh recommends starting with the life of Jesus told in the Gospels Have a resolution upon leaving Adoration: this is recommended by the saints and will help build upon the graces you received in Adoration Be open to the Holy Spirit: it’s good to have a plan going into Adoration, but we have to make sure we’re allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us in our prayer We shouldn’t... Adore ourselves: know who you’re talking to, and what you’re talking about Ignore the way we live outside of prayer: the way we live outside of prayer affects the way we live in prayer Have our cell phones nearby: if you have to have it for prayers, put it on airplane mode to avoid distractions Turn Adoration into study hall: it’s okay to read in the presence of the Holy Sacrament, but we shouldn’t call it Adoration because we’re not adoring the Lord Why go to Adoration? Fr. Josh explains why Adoration is so important through the context of the mass. Not only does it intensify our relationship with God, but it causes us to long for him more. When we go to Adoration and see the Lord in the Eucharist, we are drawn to him more, so much so that we want to experience his love in a more intimate way, such as in mass. Adoration calls us to live a life of worshiping God in everything we do. “Adoration leads to imitation.” The more we hang out with Christ in Adoration, the more we become like him. You’ve heard it said that you become a combination of the three people you hang with most, and the same is true with spending time with God. If we want to imitate Christ in his thoughts, words, and actions, we have to spend time with him. ** Additional tips from Fr. Josh: If you struggle with...** Getting distracted in Adoration Sit near the front of the chapel: This will prevent you from being distracted by others Focusing too much on the discomfort of kneeling Sit down or lay prostrate: It’s better to focus fully on the Lord than to do what you think is “correct” or “normal” Staying focused for a full hour Start with 15 minutes: begin with either Lectio Divinia or a rosary, and stay longer as you build endurance Resources Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson He and I by Gabrielle Bossis Check out Fr. Josh’s podcast, “Ask Father Josh” Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh Johnson Subscribe to our show by texting “allthingscatholic” to 33-777