All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri

Mary isn’t just open. She actually allows God to act in her life - even when it’s hard and unclear and when all she can do is walk by faith and not by sight. How can we be more like Mary, living trustful surrender as she did? For more on this topic, see Edward Sri's book "Walking with Mary" (Image Books).

Mary’s "Yes" was not a one-time "Fiat" in Nazareth. She had to renew her trustful surrender to the Father’s plan repeatedly throughout her life. Will we, like Mary, always be on the lookout for the next step God is asking us to take?

“What makes the Bible different from Muslim, Hindu or other sacred texts from the world’s many religions? Can a modern serious thinker really believe that God inspired human beings to write his Scriptures?  Doesn’t that sound like fairy tales?”  In this episode, Edward Sri addresses these and other questions about the divine inspiration of Scripture.  

Does your mind wander when you pray the Rosary?  Discover five keys to help you overcome distraction and encounter Jesus and Mary more in this powerful prayer.  May is Mary’s month and a good time to reinvigorate our devotion to Mary. In this episode, Edward Sri draws on insights from his book "Praying the Rosary Like Never Before"   

Why do the Gospels never mention Jesus appearing to Mary on Easter? Does that mean it didn’t happen?  Actually, the Risen Jesus probably appeared to Mary first - eagerly rising from the dead as early as possible on Easter morning so he could be reunited with his mother.

Can a serious thinker in the 21st century really believe in the resurrection of Jesus? When people die, they stay dead.  How can Christians claim Jesus was different? The resurrection of Christ seems like a fairy tale—a Christian myth, invented by the apostles. That’s what many people in our secular age might think about Easter. How would you respond?  Gain the clarity and confidence to...

The Cross is not Christ's defeat. It's his moment of triumph.  Discover the Biblical meaning of the last three sayings from the Cross: "I Thirst"...."It is finished"....and "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." For example: "I Thirst." Jesus isn't just thirsting for something to drink. He thirsts for you—for your love, time and attention..for your total surrender to him. Will you make...

Was Jesus abandoned by his Father on Good Friday? What is the meaning of his words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It's far from a cry of despair. It's actually a cry of confident hope amid great darkness. And the Biblical background to Jesus’ words gives us a roadmap for facing our own trials today.

Shortly before he dies, Jesus gives us one last gift: the gift of Mary as our spiritual mother. Indeed, this scene of Mary and the beloved disciple at Calvary is one of the most crucial Biblical passages for demonstrating Mary’s important role in the life of every Christian. In this episode, Edward Sri walks through the Biblical foundations for Mary's spiritual motherhood as he considers the third...

Did you know that the Good Thief was blaspheming Jesus at Calvary, joining the others in their mocking of Christ?  What made him suddenly have a change of heart and encounter God’s amazing love and mercy? Edward Sri unearths the Biblical background of this last minute conversion and Jesus' final words to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  

Imagine being at Calvary with Jesus looking you in the eye and speaking these Seven Last Words personally to you.  In this episode, Edward Sri unpacks the Biblical meaning of Christ's Seven Last Words. But don’t think of these merely as words spoken to the world in general. Jesus was thinking of you on Calvary. He know what you’d be going through this year, this month, this day—and He spoke t...

“God loves us with all the passion of a true love,” says Pope Benedict. Discover how the theological background of the word ‘passion” can help us encounter God’s love for us in a deeper way this Lent. Special give-away in this episode. To enter a drawing for a signed copy of Edward Sri's new book "No Greater Love," email topic ideas for future episodes to: info.edwardsri@gmail.com  

Enter the very heart of Lent this year - not just Lent’s devotions and sacrifices.  For Lent isn’t about simply giving up something like chocolate. It’s more about creating space in our souls to encounter God at a deeper level.

Does love really exist? Am I worthy of love? We hunger for a deeper love than what the secular world has offered us.  This week, Edward Sri interviews Frances Hopkins of the Culture Project in Sydney, Australia, who shares how God’s amazing love can still penetrate the thickest darkness in our secular age.

“I should be free to decide for myself my own spiritual values and make up my own morality. I don’t need a pope telling me what to do!” How would you respond to these challenges? This week is the perfect time to ponder these questions as the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, remembering the teaching authority Jesus gave Peter and his successors, the popes. Edward Sri unpacks s...

We all sin and fall short. But in those moments of unfaithfulness, will we be faithful at least in repentance? Faithful in admitting our faults, saying sorry and intentionally trying to be better next time? Though Peter denied Jesus three times, he models true repentance - and the path to new life.  

Was Jesus having second thoughts & thinking of backing out when he prayed, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass?" Jesus goes on to model how to respond when God invites us to do what's difficult - when we face our own Gethsemane moments. In this episode, Edward Sri shares from his new book, "No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ's Passion" (Ascension Press)

What was Mary thinking when she heard Simeon say to her, “A sword will pierce your soul also”?   Edward Sri unpacks the Gospel account of Christ's Presentation in the Temple and helps us enter into this feast this week.  

  “Anyone can say, ‘I love you.’ Some people might sincerely mean it. Few people, however, have the virtue to truly seek what is best for you and be a committed friend.” This week, Edward Sri unpacks Aristotle’s three kinds of friendship—and why knowing the difference can make or break our friendships, communities, dating relationships and marriages. For more on this topic, see the free artic...

Marriage is hard. But it’s right there in the hard that God wants to bring out something beautiful.  Join Beth and Edward Sri with International TOB speaker Damon Owens for a conversation about the deeper love that can be found in the real struggles of marriage. Learn more about Damon’s ministry at joytob.org Learn more about Beth’s ministry at borntodothis.org

“I said to her, ‘What if we stopped having sex?’ It wasn’t a serious proposal. But she started to cry. It tapped into something deep in her heart. I saw in her eyes that she saw me as a man that I wasn’t yet, but a man that I wanted to be.”   International TOB speaker Damon Owens shares how his relationship with his wife was completely transformed when they realized the emptiness of the world...

Mary's world was turned upside down: a Roman census, an unexpected move in her last trimester and giving birth in such poor conditions. How could this be the King? She might have been wondering where was God in the midst of all this suffering? 

What was that first Christmas really like? Was Joseph really a carpenter?  Was Jesus born in a stable, a house or a cave? Join Edward Sri on location in Israel as he discusses the Christmas story from an ancient Jewish perspective. He interviews his favorite Jewish guide - a man full of faith and passionate about helping Christians see their own faith through ancient Jewish eyes.

The goal of Advent isn’t checking off boxes: I did this devotion, made this sacrifice, did this activity. The goal is becoming like the child Jesus we await at Christmas, who is the Jesus of the Cross. Edward Sri explores the many Biblical connections between Christmas and the Cross and how those insights can help us finish our Advent well. A successful Advent is about becoming more like Christ, e...

Everything Catholics believe about Mary is not meant to focus primarily on her.  It’s meant to help us understand and love Jesus more. That’s especially the case with her Immaculate Conception. Edward Sri unpacks the Biblical foundations for the Immaculate Conception as he shares insights from his newest book on every key New Testament reference to Mary:  Rethinking Mary in the New ...