Ave Maria in the Afternoon Full Hours

Segment 1: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” (2 segments) This Sunday’s Gospel gives us a view of the events immediately after Jesus’ baptism, from the perspective of John the Baptist. Rob Corzine joins us to unpack the readings. Segment 2: Fulton Sheen beatification forthcoming? (2 segments) The Holy See is expected to announce in coming weeks a date for the beatification of Archbishop F...

Segment 1: Does Iran prove we should keep God out of Government? The Iranian government is brutally cracking down on protestors, and some critics say this is proof that religion should be kept out of politics. But every political order rests on religion - even when the altar has been replaced with things like screens or personal ideology or power. So the real question concerns not whether religion...

Segment 1: Why Are Mosques Burning in Tehran? Protests continue across Iran, though they have been largely smothered today thanks to the regime cracking down on internet access in the country. During the protests, at least 34 mosques have been set on fire in Tehran. Why is this happening in a country where a reported 98% of the population is Muslim? The answer is complicated – Alberto Fernandez jo...

Segment 1: Trump administration disappoints again on Abortion The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has restored Title X funding to Planned Parenthood, the latest disappointment by a president once dubbed the most pro-life in history. Is Trump-Vance administration the most anti-life GOP administration in history? Marcus discusses. Segment 2: Henry VIII Breaks from the Church On January...

Segment 1: Bishop Thomas: No Funding for Abortion President Trump recently said Republicans need to be “flexible” on taxpayer-funded abortions. Bishop Daniel Thomas joins us to respond and discuss the importance of the Hyde Amendment. Segment 2: Supreme Court Tackles Identity Politics in Sports The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments this week in two key cases that will determine whether state...

Segment 1: Iranian TV Threatens Trump Human Rights advocates estimate more than 2000 people have died in Iranian protests, and the government has threatened to begin executing political prisoners any day. This afternoon, Iranian state TV broadcasted a picture of Donald Trump after his near assassination in Butler, along with the caption “this time it will not miss the target.” Though it seems incr...

Segment 1: Can you follow Jesus without believing in God? Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams died this morning following a battle with prostate cancer. As we discussed yesterday, he had announced he planned to convert to Christianity because he had “nothing to lose.” In an open letter shared after his death, Adams wrote that he does not believe in God, but still accepts Jesus as his savior. What does...

Segment 1: Marcus When Ambition goes too Far Ambition has always been a double-edged force in the history of civilization. It builds cities, constitutions, founds universities, organizes whole economies. At the same time though, ambition unmoored from moral hierarchy can corrode one’s character. It can fracture households, it can leave a trail of brilliance that’s shadowed by regret. Few lives in...

Segment 1: Dilbert takes Pascal’s Wager Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, recently announced he plans to convert to Christianity as he faces terminal prostate cancer. He has previously described himself as Agnostic, but says many of his Christian friends have reached out to him since his diagnosis last spring. Adams says he plans to convert because if he’s wrong, he loses nothing, b...

Segment 1: Beyond “Common Sense” This week is the 250th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. It became an instant bestseller and helped fan the flames of America’s revolutionary movement. Marcus has more. Segment 2: Awaken your Contemplative Heart with St. Thérèse In a letter to her spiritual brother Maurice Belliere, St. Therese wrote how she was profoundly affected by J...

Segment 1: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (2 segments) This Sunday’s Gospel recounts the story of John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. The heavens open, and God declares Jesus to be His beloved son. Marcus unpacks the readings. Segment 2: The Source of Nature and Grace (2 segments) When St. Peter answered Jesus’ challenge to step out of the boat and walk on water, he briefly...

Segment 1: Why did Jesus need to be Baptized? On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Jesus’ Baptism. But why did a perfect man need baptism at all? The answer begins with an understanding of the immense significance of the Jordan River. Marcus discusses Jesus’ baptism and how we should respond in our own hearts. Segment 2: Discerning Religious Life? Try a Day in the Life of a Sister! Do you know a yo...

Segment 1: Minnesota Bishops Plea for Prayer Archbishop Bernard Hebda is pleading for prayers and calm following the shooting of a US citizen by an ICE agent. Matthew Bunson has more on this and other Church news. Segment 2: Join a Pilgrimage to England What if you could walk the very halls where priests once hid, stand at the sites where martyrs gave their lives, and trace the conversion of Newma...

Segment 1: The Covenant Oath of Office Why do our politicians usually swear in on the Bible? And how do so many of them miss the point? The answer lies in the meaning of covenant. Marcus has more. Segment 2: How a Trip to Poland Convinced Me That Socialism Works The victory of socialist candidates in recent elections has highlighted the renewed appeal of the Marxist system. Some now see socialism...

Segment 1: Once Baptized, Always Converting Baptism imprints a spiritual mark upon the soul, and that mark remains even when the baptized person drifts from God. God addresses post-baptismal sin through repentance, reconciliation, transformation, and sacramental reconciliation. Marcus has more on conversion and baptism. Segment 2: Remembering Russell Shaw Catholic writer and journalist Russell Sha...

Segment 1: Calvin and Hobbes, New Year’s Resolutions, and Virtue Bill Watterson’s Calvin of comic strip fame once declared that he refused to make New Year’s resolutions, because improving oneself implied that certain values were better than others, but because values are relative they are all equl – virtue is no better than vice. Marcus looks at how this strip serves as a commentary on our cultur...

Segment 1: Making a Resolution that will Stick It happens every year – you wake up on New Year’s Day, determined that this will be the year you get into shape, grow spiritually, settle your finances, and achieve your dreams. A month later, you’re back to old habits. Sound familiar? Dr. Greg Popcak has some tips. Segment 2: Pope Leo, Bishops respond to Maduro arrest At his Angelus address on Sunday...

Segment 1: FDR’s Four Freedoms On this day in 1941, President Roosevelt delivered a speech in which he outlined four fundamental freedoms to which all people of the world were entitled. He was speaking at a time of existential crisis, when the future of ordered liberty was very much in doubt. Marcus takes a look at his speech. Segment 2: Collectivism isn’t so warm At his inauguration, New York Cit...

Segment 1: With Great Power comes Divine Accountability The downfall of Nicolas Maduro reminds us of the consequences of abuse of power. Ultimately, world leader are not just accountable to themselves or their citizens – they are accountable to God. Doug Keck joins Marcus. Segment 2: It’s Still a Wonderful Life Frank Capra’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life is a beloved Christmas tradition for countl...

Segment 1: Remembering God in an Age of Unrest The year now behind us carried the weight of an entire era rather than the simple turning of a calendar page. Anyone paying attention felt the sensation of standing beneath converging fault lines where politics, culture, technology, and faith pressed upon one another with accelerating force. Marcus has more as we kick off a new year. Segment 2: US Cap...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Segment 1: Let the Leo Roar From the minute Pope Leo was introduced, some people tried to frame him in the context of former popes. But we can only judge him based on what he actually says and does – and there was a lot to like about his first homily as pope. We look back on Marcus’ first commentary after his election as our year in review continues. Segme...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Segment 1: Pope Francis’ Funeral: A View from Rome The biggest Church news story of the year was, by far, the death of Pope Francis and election of Pope Leo. We look back on our conversation with Matthew Bunson, who was reporting from Rome as thousands of pilgrims prepared for Pope Francis’ funeral. Segment 2: Marcus’ Monologue: Even Death Bows before a Ch...

Segment 1: Fr Jim Rolph Reflects on Discipleship and Suffering (2 segments) Fr Jim Rolph is a dynamic young priest in the Diocese of Lansing who has embraced the Cross of Jesus, yet radiates the joy of the Lord. He shares his story of discipleship and suffering Segment 2: The Power of Everyday Holiness (2 segments) Christian sanctity is far nearer and far more beautiful than we think. From mothers...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Segment 1: From maintenance to mission: A bishop’s vision for the Church Although we have seen some signs of resurgence in Church attendance, overall numbers are still on the decline. The Church needs to shift its mindset from one of maintenance to one of mission, taking cues from St. Paul and the early disciples. Bishop Robert Gruss of Saginaw has more. S...

2025 Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Segment 1: Facebook Employees Compare Themselves to Drug Pushers Recently unsealed court documents show employees at Facebook’s parent company Meta were aware of the adverse effects social media has on kids’ mental health, calling Instagram a “drug” and referring to themselves as “pushers.” Marcus has some thoughts. Segment 2: Matthew’s Gospel – the K...