Brother from Another Father - Hosted by Fr Isaac El Fernandes, SJ

Send us Fan Mail We all live between two identities—the one God gives us and the one society expects from us. In this special Feast of Saints Peter and Paul episode, Fr. Isaac reflects on how these two pillars of the Church wrestled with that same tension. From Peter’s bold (and sometimes clumsy) declarations of faith to Paul’s fragile ego and need for validation, their humanity is laid bare. But...

Send us Fan Mail The Feast of Corpus Christi invites us to remember that the Eucharist is more than a ritual—it’s a call to radical communion. In this episode, Fr. Isaac takes us back to the early Church, where some communities failed to live the very unity the Eucharist symbolizes. Drawing on Paul’s sharp rebuke to the Corinthians, we’re challenged to ask ourselves: are we truly one body in Chris...

Send us Fan Mail This Trinity Sunday, Fr. Isaac takes us on a cosmic ride through theology and sci-fi, asking: if aliens existed, would God need to save them too? With wit and depth, he explores why Christian belief holds that God went all in on humanity through Jesus Christ—and what that means for our understanding of the Trinity. From Star Wars metaphors to salvation history, this episode unpack...

Send us Fan Mail On this Pentecost Sunday, Brother from Another Father reflects on how the Holy Spirit builds a Church that is both fully African and fully Catholic . From the ruins of Babel to the miracle of Pentecost, Fr. Isaac shows how God doesn’t erase our cultural identity—but uses it. With the Spirit’s power, unity and diversity are no longer in conflict. This episode calls the African Chur...

Send us Fan Mail What do Spider-Man and the Feast of the Ascension have in common? In this imaginative homily, we explore how the early Church moved from waiting for a sequel to becoming the sequel—empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as kids throw on superhero costumes to live out the stories they love, we too are called to “suit up” with the Spirit and continue Christ’s mission in the world. The A...

Send us Fan Mail What if letting go is the beginning of true peace? In this episode, we explore the tension between surrendering control and clinging to our version of a “happy ending.” Drawing from a modern love story and the hard-won wisdom of the apostles, Fr. Isaac challenges the illusion of fairy-tale faith and invites us into the deeper, harder path of spiritual maturity. Jesus tells his dis...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we unpack Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” — a love that gives more than it receives. Fr Isaac explores the idea of asymmetrical love through brain science, childhood development, family dynamics, and the example of saints like Mother Teresa. Whether you’re a parent, a friend, or a stranger, you’ll be challen...

Send us Fan Mail In this Good Shepherd Sunday reflection, Fr. Isaac invites us to surrender control and embrace trust. Using the powerful metaphor of a boat, he challenges us to toss out the motor of self-reliance and let the wind of the Holy Spirit guide us. Are we truly following the voice of the Shepherd—or just chasing noise? Discover the peace that comes from letting Jesus lead, even when we...

Send us Fan Mail Fr. Isaac reflects on Peter's return to fishing after the Resurrection—a symbolic backslide to his old life. Despite Peter’s sense of failure and inadequacy, Jesus meets him again at dawn, reigniting the call to become a fisher of people. The homily explores the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ question, “Do you love me more than these?” , highlighting Christ’s gentle way of call...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Divine Mercy Sunday episode, Fr Isaac explores the surprising history of the Sacrament of Reconciliation—revealing that private confession wasn’t always the norm. From public penance in the early Church to Pope Francis' call for radical mercy, this homily challenges us to rediscover reconciliation as a deeply communal act.  Could healing broken relationships i...

Send us Fan Mail This Easter Sunday, we confront the age-old fear that being generous, forgiving, or kind is a one-way ticket to getting walked over. Drawing from a Shona proverb— “The generous one is the one whose house gets burnt” —this episode asks whether that’s truly the end of the story. Through the resurrection of Christ, we discover that while generosity may cost us, God always has the fin...

Send us Fan Mail On this Good Friday, Fr. Isaac challenges a popular story often used to explain the cross—one of a tragic train bridge and a sacrificed son—and offers a deeper, more faithful reflection on Christ’s Passion. Jesus doesn’t save us by taking our suffering away, but by showing us how to suffer redemptively: without bitterness, without blame, and with trust in the Father. Through chara...

Send us Fan Mail On Palm Sunday, we explore what it really means to follow Jesus—not by inviting Him into our lives, but by letting ourselves be drawn into His. As the crowd turns from praise to rejection, Fr. Isaac challenges us to confront our own expectations, deepen our discipleship, and follow Jesus into His passion—on His terms, not ours.

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful Lent reflection, Fr. Isaac explores the story of the woman caught in adultery through the lens of psychology, Ignatian spirituality, and Girardian theory. Why do we desire what we shouldn’t? Why do we judge so quickly? This episode invites you to move from shame to mercy, and from accusation to deeper self-awareness.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we explore the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son—but with a fresh perspective. Rather than focusing on the wayward son, we turn our attention to the father, whose radical generosity and humility restore not just his family but the entire community. Delving into the cultural context of first-century Palestine, we uncover how thi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we reflect on Luke 13 and the questions we all face when confronted with suffering, violence, and evil. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow this? Jesus doesn’t offer easy answers but invites us to a deeper trust and conversion of heart. As we wrestle with mystery and the temptation to control through technology and reason, Jesus calls us to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we reflect on the meaning of faith through the story of Abraham’s decision to trust in God. What does it truly mean to have faith? More than just belief and obedience, faith is also a risk—one that Abraham took by choosing to follow one God in a world of many. We explore the biblical concept of monolatry, the significance of God&apo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we begin our Lenten journey by asking a crucial question: What fuel are we running on? Using the analogy of a car, Fr. Isaac Fernandes explores how counterfeit fuels like pleasure, power, and glory may sustain us temporarily but ultimately destroy us. Reflecting on the temptations of Christ, we delve into the three pillars of Lent—f...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Ash Wednesday episode of Brother from Another Father , we explore the surprising parallels between Johannesburg’s orderly intersections—where traffic lights fail but courtesy prevails—and the season of Lent. Reflecting on the contrast with Zimbabwe’s chaotic junctions, we delve into how fasting, almsgiving, and prayer serve as tools to reset our relationships with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we reflect on the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the deep truth that the faults we most condemn in others often mirror the weaknesses we fear within ourselves. Through personal reflection and Gospel insight, we explore the concept of the “shadow self” as described by Carl Jung and recognized by Jesus long before modern psychology....

Send us Fan Mail In this 25th episode of Brother from Another Father , we reflect on the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time with a powerful message about love, generosity, and grace. Through a thought-provoking story, we explore what it truly means to love our enemies and give without expecting anything in return. Just as financial systems rely on liquidity to function, our world needs an injection of lo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we explore the inspiring story of Viktor Yushchenko, Natalia Dimitruk, and the Orange Revolution as a powerful metaphor for the Gospel message. Through this lens, we examine Jesus’ radical challenge to the dominant social order and how the Church's historical transformation—from a movement of the marginalized to an institution...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we explore Peter’s journey from skepticism to faith, as portrayed in The Chosen . Struggling with debt and disillusioned with so-called prophets, Peter encounters Jesus at his lowest point. What begins as a reluctant favor—lending his boat—turns into a life-changing moment when Jesus performs a miraculous catch of fish. Peter’s real...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Brother from Another Father , we delve into the ancient practice of sacrifice and how it shaped humanity’s understanding of God. From the early Israelites’ struggle with child sacrifice to the redemption of the firstborn, we explore the shift from fear-driven worship to a faith rooted in trust and love. What does true sacrifice mean in the Christian life today?...

Send us Fan Mail In this 21st episode of Brother from Another Father, we explore the tension between individual faith practices and the communal nature of Christian life. Using vivid metaphors of fruit salads and cakes, we unpack Paul's message to the Corinthians about the indispensable role of the Church as the body of Christ. Discover why personal prayer, regular community participation, an...