A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast

ABIDE IN ME.  To "abide" means to remain, to stay, to continue on. It means to endure or sustain without yielding. Jesus wants us to abide in Him. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. Remain in my love." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

WHY GOD ALLOWS EVIL PEOPLE TO PROSPER.  When we suffer, we may be tempted to wonder why people who do not know God seem to prosper. But we know that God has a plan and that our suffering in this world has a purpose. Rather than look longingly at the prosperous in this world, we should heed the words of St. Bridget of Sweden, "Let go of what will pass, and gather that which is eternal." Join the co...

THE DEVIL NEVER QUITS.  As Catholics, we believe that God has prepared a place for us with Jesus in Heaven if we do His will on earth. We also believe that Satan is real and is relentless in his desire to defeat every one of us. That's why we must heed the words of St. Peter, who said, "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to d...

DO IT NOW.  There seems to be in many of us an inherent need to delay or put off for tomorrow what doesn't need to be done today. That's understandable, but the followers of Jesus know that His earthly ministry was urgent and action-oriented, and serves as a stark reminder that we should never delay when God calls us.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

DO I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL?  Although many of us do not think about or interact with angels, the Catholic Church teaches that every person is assigned a Guardian Angel by God, to guide, protect, and help our souls toward salvation. And even when we are not aware, our Guardian Angel is at work. St. Jerome once said, "How great is the dignity of souls, that each person has from birth, received an an...

THE CROSSES IN OUR LIVES.  To take up our cross and follow Jesus, we must learn to live the doctrine of abandonment, accepting, with thanksgiving, everything that happens to us as God's will. Rather than giving in to fatalism or guilt, we engage with and embrace our crosses. As Job said, "We accept good things from God, should we not also accept evil?" Join the conversation: anycatholicconversatio...

THE SIN OF GOSSIP.  When idle chatter and casual conversation turn into language that lacks charity and is hurtful, it can often damage the reputation of another person, and alter the way they are perceived, forever.  We've become desensitized to how profoundly gossip negatively affects everyone, and when we engage in it, we are exposing ourselves to a serious sin. Join the conversation: anycathol...

GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SUNDAY. As we enter into His Passion on Good Friday, we prayerfully follow Him to the Cross, and to His tomb.  And when we awaken on Easter Sunday, we recognize once again, that ‘He Is Risen’ today, and every day, for the rest of our lives.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES.  Our spiritual lives are richer when we can take pleasure in God's divine company, and speak to Our Lord humbly and lovingly, without inhibitions.  But how?  Let's check in with Brother Lawrence, who developed a simple method of focused prayer, which can help us connect with God in all seasons and at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way. Join...

EMOTIONAL INFIDELITY.  When two people in a marriage are intentional about building unity and serving each other, they are protecting their marriage from potential dangers and temptations. But cultivating intimacy with someone other than one's spouse, or slowly transferring affections and attention to someone outside the marriage, is exposing oneself to sin with something we may call "emotional in...

ASH WEDNESDAY.  "Gotta get my ashes!”  Ok, but what else do I need to think about, as I prepare for Lent this year?  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

GOD'S WILL — BOTH ABSOLUTE AND PERMISSIVE.  If God’s will if omniscient and all-powerful, how can "free will" also prevail? God lovingly allows our free will, so that through our own spiritual journey and discernment, we may find our way to freely love Him and serve Him, above all things. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

OFFERING IT UP.  It sounds like old-school Catholicism, but "offering it up" is our prayerful response to the hurt, disappointment, and antagonisms we are all called to bear in our lives. It means asking God to use these crosses as fertilizer for growth in our quest for inner peace, patience, and holiness.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL.  Jesus tells the story of a man who tore down his barns to build bigger ones, so that he could store all of his material wealth safely for years to come. But God demanded his life suddenly, that very night.  And the lesson is, "Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God." Join the conversation: anycatholiccon...

THE LITTLE WAY.  Saint Thérèse of Lisieux showed us a way to God by performing day-to-day tasks and actions with great love.  It is through a humble dependence on God — recognizing our "littleness" — that our love and trust expand into the Heart of Jesus.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

THE LAW OF THE GIFT.  Vatican II proclaimed that the human person cannot fully find himself except through the sincere gift of himself. The Council referred to Jesus' teaching that "whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."  Pope St. John Paul II said, "In this way Jesus proclaims that life finds its center, its meaning, and its fulfillm...

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET MARRIED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Many young Catholics today choose to be married in a special location, with the beauty of a mountaintop or the stunning sunset at the beach as a backdrop -- a destination wedding. But there are some good reasons to reconsider and reflect on this, and to intentionally decide to get married in the sacred beauty of the Church.   Join the conve...

THE SAINTS.  They are great role models, with much to show us and teach us. And we believe that they intercede for us. So let’s remind ourselves to reach out to them, and call on them for our needs, and embrace them sincerely in prayer.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

THE IMPORTANCE OF VIRTUE. To grow in virtue is to improve as a human being - to become a better person today than I was yesterday.  Virtue must be sought out and acquired intentionally.  You become virtuous by continually striving for virtue. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

HEAVEN, BUT ON WHOSE TERMS? Jesus taught that entry into Heaven goes through a narrow gate, "and those who find it are few." But many people believe that all will be saved, and  just being a good person will be enough. If we truly aspire to eternal life with God, we must prepare ourselves by embracing heavenly values — mercy, forgiveness, non-judgment — and thus enter into Heaven on God's terms.  ...

PATIENCE. It’s called a Virtue, but it’s a tough one to develop. And yet, once acquired and nurtured, patience is a path to a more prayerful and peaceful life. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

THE BREVITY OF LIFE.  Life is too short to be unhappy, hold grudges, or have regrets. The brevity of our lives should induce us to live in a state of readiness, to be prepared spiritually, and to actively serve God, appreciating each moment we have left, until He calls us into the life that never ends.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

ST. PADRE PIO.  Padre Pio’s life was full of sacrifice, sufferings, and acts of renunciation.  And still today, for millions of Catholics around the world, he is a powerful living presence, offering a wellspring of benefits for our spiritual and temporal needs. St. Padre Pio, pray for us! Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

TRY NOT TO COMPLAIN. We all do it, sometimes without being aware, but it is harmful to our spiritual health and well-being. We need to find a way to identify it in ourselves and limit its effect on us and others. St. Paul reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances, and rejoice always!" Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com  

TAKING GUILT TOO FAR. A guilty conscience can warn us that we've done something wrong, and prompt us to admit our fault and ask for forgiveness. But if guilt becomes a persistent feeling of doubt and uncertainty, a fear that you can never be saved, then it becomes an unhealthy obsession and blocks our relationship with God. That is taking guilt too far.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversat...