Right Now with Ralph Martin

There are really only two roads we can walk in this life: one that leads to eternal life or one that leads to eternal destruction. This fundamental biblical message is depicted in one of St. Faustina’s visions, describing these very different paths: a broad and pleasurable one leading to hell, and a narrow, painful one leading to paradise. As we prepare for the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday this weekend, Ralph reflects on St. Faustina’s vision and the scriptural teaching of Jesus to help each of us to receive God’s mercy, recommit to the path of Jesus, and turn away from the path that leads to the abyss of hell.

Today we celebrate the Annunciation, the unfathomable grace of Jesus coming in the flesh. And yet when we look at the scriptures, we see something strange happened when people encountered Jesus during his earthly ministry. The One who came to heal us, love us, and give us eternal life is hated and rejected. In this video, Ralph explores what the scriptures tell us about why this is the case. May it not be so with us!

Catholic devotion to Divine Mercy is bearing wonderful fruit in the Church today, but it is also susceptible to being “hijacked,” diverted from its intended purpose. There’s a popular perception that goes something like this, “God is so merciful that very few, if any, will be lost.” This is actually a distortion of the true meaning of mercy because it engenders an attitude of presumption and indifference that seriously undermines the Christian life. This video proposes an antidote to this false perception: true knowledge of what Jesus revealed to St. Faustina, not only about his great mercy, but also the necessity to respond to the offer of mercy with faith, repentance, and obedience in order for it to have its proper effect.

This week, Ralph looks at the "big picture" of the pro-life movement and the central decision at the root of choosing life, choosing for ETERNAL life.

John 3:16 is a very well-known verse that offers a short summary of the Gospel. This week, Ralph comments on this famous verse and the verses surrounding it to expand our understanding of its meaning beyond just what is popularly considered, and of course, it is all about salvation!

The team at Renewal Ministries has an announcement for you about Right Now with Ralph Martin! To check out our weekly interview program The Choices We Face, featuring Ralph Martin, Peter Herbeck, and Pete Burak, and their guests visit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/renewal-ministries-the-choices-we-face/id512306177.For our weekday program Burning Hearts hosted by Rachel Herbeck in which Rachel helps listeners hearts to be set on fire with zeal for God’s Word visit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burning-hearts-with-rachel-herbeck/id1786439466.For our weekday program Fire on the Earth hosted by Peter Herbeck in which Peter helps listeners respond personally to what the Holy Spirit is saying in our time through inspiring teachings, interviews, and testimonies, visit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fire-on-the-earth-with-peter-herbeck/id295512989.Follow or subscribe at the links above or wherever you get your podcasts!Join our email list to hear about Renewal Ministries events, receive our monthly newsletter, weekly written inspirations by our staff, or our weekly update featuring a digest of that week's video messages from our team: renewalministries.net/email.Follow us on social media for even more daily encouragement and inspiration!Instagram: instagram.com/renewalministriesFacebook: facebook.com/CatholicRenewalMinistriesYouTube: YouTube.com/@renewalministries

In this short video Ralph shares how impacted he was by the simple but encouraging word conveyed by a Christian hymn. He thinks you will be encouraged too!

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph on the podcast this week to discuss what it means to live in the power of the Holy Spirit & under the lordship of Jesus.In this episode: A New Pentecost by Ralph Martin.

Cardinal Pell, a very well known solidly orthodox bishop, wrote a remarkable article in the journal First Things, in the December 2020 issue entitled Last Things. In it he details his remarkable "conversion” from the belief that hardly anyone would be lost – a version of the pragmatic universalism so common in the Church today – to a return to the more biblical worldview as taught by Jesus and the Apostles and carried forward in the Tradition of the Church and taught in Vatican Council II. From such a well known Church leader this is a remarkably honest and humbling confession and something about which we all need to examine ourselves. If he had absorbed the unspoken, prevailing worldview from the deficient culture of the world and the Church, have we? Do we need to make a similar change?

Sharon Doran joins Ralph to talk about her battle with cancer and how her suffering helped her discover the life-giving power of the Scriptures.Sharon is the teaching director of Seeking Truth Bible Study and has a podcast called Discerning Hearts Podcast.

Ralph comments on the amazingly tender words of holy Mary as she appeared to St. Juan Diego at Guadalupe in Mexico almost 500 years ago. He believes that she intends them to be personalized and received as a word from her to each one of us. Some of what she says seems like it could be described as a “hug from Mary,” our heavenly mother.

This Christmas Eve, Fr. John Riccardo returns to the podcast to discuss the profound gift of Christ's coming among us in the flesh and what it means for us as his children and disciples.For more about this profound gift, check out The Rescue Project, offered by Fr. John's ministry Acts XXIX.

The charismatic gifts - emphasized in many of the documents of Vatican II - are a great blessing, but we can easily forget their ultimate purpose or be tempted to prize the gifts over the giver. As the Church continues to be awakened to the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit, we must never forget that they exist to lead us to conversion, repentance, faith, and salvation.

Ralph talks about the importance of understanding and accepting the discipline of the Lord, it’s various manifestations, and its loving purpose.

Author and speaker, Immaculée Ilibagiza returns to continue her story of how God worked powerfully in her life. As a survivor of the Rwandan genocide she has an incredible testimony of faith, hope, and forgiveness.Did you miss Part One? Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-now-with-ralph-martin/id1536626967?i=1000738547197.

Immaculée Ilibagiza - author, speaker, and survivor of the Rwandan genocide - shares her powerful testimony of faith, hope, and forgiveness.Tune in again next week for Part Two!

This week, Ralph speaks about how disappointed Jesus' was that only one of nine lepers returned to thank him and recognize in him the power of God. Let’s be like that one leper and never forget to thank God for his blessings even in the midst of the sufferings of this life!

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to review some powerful scriptures, emphasizing the importance of persevering until the end.

This week, Ralph notes that the concepts of heaven and hell – or even God and the devil – can seem a bit abstract. Ralph takes another look at these realities based on an exploration of the company we will keep. Life with the beautiful angels will be beautiful; life with demons will be like a perpetual horror movie. But ultimately, hell is FAR from just a movie; it is everlasting, actual horror!

Dominic Berardino, the president of Southern California Renewal Communities, joins Ralph to talk about the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory.

Two weeks ago, Ralph discussed Bishop Robert Barron’s reflections on Pope Francis’ papacy and what his legacy means for the Church moving forward. This week, Ralph offers ways to approach living in such times of uncertainty and disunity. Ralph particularly notes the profound reflections on participating more deeply in Christ’s passion, as found in Fr. Donald Haggerty’s book, "The Hour of Testing: Spiritual Depth and Insight in a Time of Ecclesial Uncertainty." Fr. Haggerty is a parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New York and the author of several books.To sign up for Renewal Ministries free monthly monthly newsletter visit: https://www.RenewalMinistries.net/newsletter.

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to discuss important teachings of St. John Paul II and his impact on the work of Renewal Ministries.

In his May 12 article in First Things—Francis in Full—Bishop Robert Barron eloquently wrote of Pope Francis’ many positive accomplishments as well as some very serious problems such as a legacy of doctrinal and pastoral disunity. Bishop Barron’s evaluation of Pope Francis’ ministry provides a lens through which we can look at the serious challenges facing Pope Leo XIV and his great need for our prayer.

Fr. John Riccardo of Acts XXIX joins Ralph to discuss the only way to becoming a disciple--through true conversion & understanding the context of the greatest commandment.

Ralph talks about how much help he gets in prayer by meditating on the words in his "Magnificat," his daily aid in prayer.

After 25 years as an award-winning corporate advertising executive, Tom Peterson’s life radically changed forever through a powerful conversion experience on a Catholic men’s retreat. Soon afterward, he founded VirtueMedia and CatholicsComeHome.org. Catholics Come Home is a media apostolate that seeks to inspire, educate and evangelize inactive Catholics and others, inviting them to live a deeper faith in Jesus Christ, in accord with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. On this week's episode, Tom joins Ralph to share about his journey of faith, his mission and ministry, and how God has been at work in marvelous ways to bring people back to the Church.

This week, Ralph comments on an important and shocking text from Luke 13 about the number of those who will be saved. Ralph recently heard several sermons on this passage and although they were good sermons, all of them skipped the most difficult part: Jesus saying that many will not be able to enter the kingdom because they don’t really listen to Him and respond. Jesus says these very difficult things to wake us up from our ignorance and wishful thinking and to bring us into reality—because He loves us!Visit the Renewal Ministries Store for a copy of Ralph's book Will Many Be Saved?

As we look forward to celebrating St. Teresa of Calcutta's feast day this week, Patti Mansfield joins Ralph to look at her motto, “I Thirst” and what it means for us.

Ralph has recently been struck by the number of people telling him that after a long time away from living a fervent life they are returning. Using the parable of the sower and the seed Ralph invites all those who once lived a fervent life to return. Now is the time.

John Kazanjian joins Ralph to discuss his vocation as a businessman, husband, father, and lay apostle, and how each of these opens up opportunities to take little steps in faith each day that lead to deeper hope in the Christian life.

This week, Ralph shares how he has been processing his recent firing from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.To check out Ralph's Memoir, A Life in the Spirit, visit https://www.renewalministries.net/RalphMemoir.

Lavinia Spirito joins Ralph to talk about the Bible Study she developed called the Catholic Way Bible Study.Lavinia Spirito grew up in Rome, Italy, studied Anthropology and Spanish at the University of Michigan, obtained her J.D. from The University of Kentucky College of Law, and received a Masters in Theology from The Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado. She is an Adjunct Lecturer for the Saint Meinrad Permanent Deacon Formation Program; travels and speaks nationally and internationally giving parish retreats, priest retreats, parish missions, and days of reflection; and leads groups on pilgrimage to Rome, the Holy Land, and other interesting places.

This week, Ralph shares some recent personal experiences that made him ask the question, “Who Will Remember Us?” He recounts how people who once were well known by many of us are being forgotten, how sometimes as the generations pass children or grandchildren forget who has sacrificed for them in the generations before. As he recounts these examples, his hope and joy in Christ rises and he remembers what God has said and how true it is: “I have engraved you on the palms of my hand” (Is. 49:16) and “Even if a mother could forget her child, I will never forget you” (Is. 49:15). And how God’s “memory” is actually eternal life and love, for all of us who die in him.🎶 Listen to "Bright as the Sun" by Roger Holtz here.🎶 Listen to Roger Holtz's beautiful setting of the great Eucharistic hymn, O Jesus We Adore Thee here. 🙏 Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.📕 Fulfillment of All Desire📕 A Life in the Spirit

Author Bert Ghezzi joins Ralph and Peter to discuss his book The Heart of a Saint: Ten Ways to Grow Closer to God, and how the lives of the saints help us grow closer to God.

Biological death, natural death, isn’t natural; it’s a punishment for sin. And it isn’t to be feared, for a Christian. But the “second death," is indeed something to be feared. But we can be rescued from the hell of the second death through believing in the love of Jesus Christ and becoming his disciple.

Therese Cirner joins Ralph to describe her experience as a Catholic counselor and shares about the many mental health issues facing people today.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to impact more and more of us in unexpected ways. Ralph shares about his recent experiences with it and alerts us to both the good and the evil it can do and how we need to situate ourselves in a way that reduces our chances of being deceived.

Fr. John Riccardo joins Ralph to talk about the need for and the power of forgiveness.Fr. John's daily radio show is Christ is the Answer from Ave Maria Radio. Check it out on their website: https://avemariaradio.net/christ-is-the-answer-archives/

Ralph shares about an experience he had at Mass recently that gave him a deeper insight into the sacrifice of Jesus made present at the Mass and how we should desire to be included in it. He also brings out how wonderful it is that Jesus wants us to be included, but we have to want it too.

Fr. George Montague joins Ralph to share a lifetime of experience as a teacher, missionary, author, and Scripture scholar and the difference the Holy Spirit makes.The Rev. George Montague, S.M., S.T.D., is professor emeritus of New Testament at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. In 1995 he began a new religious community in the Marianist family, the Brothers of the Beloved Disciple. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Understanding the Bible and a couple volumes of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture.

Ralph shares St. Peter's clear and challenging interpretation of the events of Pentecost and how all throughout the Acts of the Apostles we see the apostles' expectation that every new group of converts should experience the Holy Spirit as they did on the day of Pentecost. Ralph also speaks to how we too should be seeking and expecting the apostolic experience of Pentecost even today.

We are excited to share a hidden historical gem with you this week. In this previously unreleased conversation with Ralph and Sr. Ann Shields, Sr. Ann shares how to make a meaningful examination of conscience and how it can lead us to deeper freedom and holiness.

Great graces are available in the sacrament of Confirmation but oftentimes are not accessed. My wife offers a modest suggestion about how to contribute to increasing its fruitfulness. Pass it on!Ralph's article: The Post-Christendom Sacramental Crisis: The Wisdom of Thomas Aquinas.

Co-founder of the St. Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell talks with Ralph about the founding of the Institute, the process of discerning charism, and her book, Forming Intentional Disciples.

Ralph comments on some surprising remarks of Pope Benedict XVI about how it isn’t the Holy Spirit that chooses popes but the Cardinals.

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to talk about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus’ victory over death.

When the prophet Isaiah hears the Lord ask, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” he quickly responds, “Here am I. Send me!”This week, Ralph talks about how each of us should emulate Isaiah's joyous offering to be sent on mission by the Lord.

Patti Mansfield joins Ralph to talk about true conversion and accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.