Special Broadcasts

Have you ever felt like you're wandering aimlessly through life? Like life is happening to you? Like you're just playing a part and not living your life? There's good news... it doesn't have to be that way! It's possible to really live your life, and one easy way to do so is by having a plan. That's what Dr. Chris and Renae Kranz discuss in this episode.

The first annual Word on Fire Conference for Priests brought 300 Catholic priests to Huntington Beach, CA, for a three day reflection on the art of preaching. Bishop Barron delivered four talks, in addition to a talk by Dana Gioia, California’s state Poet Laureate, and the conference closed with a lively Q&A where priests asked Bishop Barron whatever questions they had about preaching. Today, we s...

Join Sharon while she explores the book of Genesis!

Too often, when we encounter our own brokenness and woundedness, we either pretend it isn’t there or we just want it to be taken away. But surrendered to God, our weakness is more than replaced and more than erased, they are redeemed.

Is parenthood suffocating or liberating? Do children keep you from self-discovery, or can they facilitate you finding your identity? Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss those questions in light of two controversial articles about parenting, one in Time Magazine and another in the New York Times. A listener asks, what does a priest go through that validates his authority for the sacraments?

As Catholics, most of us know that we are supposed to pray. But why are we supposed to pray? And how, exactly do we pray? That's what Dr. Chris and Renae Kranz discuss in this episode.

The Brothers Rutten reviewed their movie of the month: "Soul", and much much more!

Join Sharon as she explores the Book of Genesis!

Many of us make plans. And many of those plans don’t end up working out the way that we had expected. Fortunately, God calls us to be courageous even when things don’t work out as we had expected.

Jesus told us that He is always with us, in every person we meet and in every circumstance we face. But is that really true? And even if it is, how can we grow in our ability to recognize Him? That's what Dr. Chris and Renae Kranz discuss in this episode.

Thomas Aquinas not only shaped the Church, but influenced much of Western civilization. Who was this great saint? What are some of his important writings? And how should we begin to read his masterful Summa theologiae? Bishop Barron offers some answers in this week’s episode. A bright 14-year-old listener asks about Bertrand Russell’s famous criticism of Aquinas, and how to respond.

Join Sharon as she explores the Book of Genesis!

There are times when we do everything God has asked us to do…and we still find ourselves in the midst of a storm. In those moments, we are called to resist resentment and embrace courage. In those moments, we are called to run into the storm, confident that God is in the storm.

Apart from Mary and Joseph, there's only one saint who is important enough that he gets two feast days: St. John the Baptist. Why is that? What's so special about John the Baptist? And how is he particularly relevant for us today? That's what Dr. Chris and Renae Kranz discuss on this episode of Ignition.

Bishop Barron recently joined Jordan Peterson for a second long discussion titled “Christianity and the Modern World,” which has been viewed over 780,000 times. On today’s episode of “The Word on Fire Show,” we revisit and reflect on some of the key moments in the dialogue. A listener asks, how can I answer my Protestant friend who claims that Catholics focus too much on Jesus’ suffering and death...

Join Sharon while she explores the Gospel of Luke!

Most people who call themselves Catholic do not believe one of the most central and most powerful teaching in the Church. Is it because they lack hearing? Do they lack the opportunity to know about this teaching? Do they lack faith? Or is something else missing?

According to a recent Wall Street Journal headline, “Catholic Schools Are Losing Students at Record Rates, and Hundreds Are Closing.” Catholic schools peaked in the 1960s with about 5.5 million students in 11,000 schools. Today, Catholic schools boast only 1.6 million students in 5,900 schools. What explains this decline? And what can we do about it? Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the situ...

Join Sharon while she explores the Gospel of Luke!

What we are is shaped and revealed by what we choose. Who we are is established by relationships.

Bishop Barron recently visited the University of St. Thomas in Houston, where he had the great privilege of preaching at their baccalaureate Mass. In his homily, shared today on the podcast, he said we must remember that the primary purpose of a Catholic university is evangelization, the proclamation of the lordship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, education must equip and form graduates to sanctify th...

We heard parts of the Gospel at every Mass, but have you ever read them from beginning to end? In this episode, Dr. Chris and Dr. Bob Rice talk about the importance of reading each of the Gospels so that we might come to know Jesus more deeply.

Join Sharon while she explores the Gospel of Luke!

At Pentecost, the disciples received the Holy Spirit and the subsequent gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts glorify the Father and have changed the world. If we were given these gifts, we could also glorify the Father and change the world…but would we?

On today’s episode, Brandon Vogt and I discuss my recent conversation with Alex O’Connor (aka @CosmicSkeptic), one of the most popular atheists in the world. We replay and unpack some of the most important clips from the dialogue. (Watch the full dialogue here.) A listener who was raised Christian, but became atheist for many years, asks advice on re-engaging with Christianity.