Podcasts

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses today’s reading from Jeremiah in which God claims that he will write his law on our hearts. Father Dave points out that we must begin with ourselves, asking God to create clean hearts for us, as the psalm proclaims. We must make room for God in our hearts in order to become who God desires us to be. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 8-09-18

Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, chats with Father Dave about the organization’s work building communities for persecuted Christians, and spreading awareness throughout the U.S. with their new icon, Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians. Anderson also discusses the Ultrasound Initiative, which provides free ultrasound machines to pregnancy centers to help in the pro-life cause. Original Air 8-07-18

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus mentions our ancestors who ate manna, a food understood to be perishable, in the desert. Father Dave compares the Eucharist to Twinkies, a food that does not perish. He also contrasts the Bread of Life with Black Friday, a time when people tend to be self-interested and act uncharitably towards others. Rather, the Eucharist is a communal meal and brings us together. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 8-5-18

Today we feature a listener named Trisha, who’s participating in the Father Dave 30-Day Challenge. Trisha shares that she has decided to join Father Dave in losing 10 pounds, and talks about how her journey is going so far. Trisha shares that adding exercise into her routine is helping, and it allows her to spend more time with her kids outdoors. Father Dave encourages Trisha to keep up the good work. Original Air 8-02-18

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest. Father Dave talks about repentance, and having the confidence to ask for God’s mercy. He discusses Saint Ignatius of Loyola and how he turned his life around. Saint Ignatius came from a wealthy background and had a successful military career. After an injury on the battlefield, he began to read about the lives of the saints and read scripture. Saint Ignatius had a plan for his life, but by following the voice of God he became a great saint. We should follow in his footsteps. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 7-31-18

A listener named Craig asks, “What are the benefits of praying to saints?” Father Dave explains that asking for the intercession of saints is a great tool for helping us get in touch with God. Following the examples of the saints is helpful in living out our own lives of faith, and the saints can be a community of support for us as well. Original Air 7-26-18

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses today’s Gospel reading in which Jesus performs the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Father Dave reflects on the question, “Do we have enough?” We tend to never be satisfied, want more, or feel that we don’t have enough to give. Father Dave reminds us that God always gives us enough, and we should be thankful and satisfied with what we have. Preached at Saint Mary’s on the Lake, Lake George, NY on 7-29-18

Dr. John Bergsma, scripture scholar and friend of the show, stops by the studio to help Father Dave answer questions of faith. A caller named Alan asks, “How do we know if Noah’s ark or any of the stories in the Bible are actual accounts, or if they are just metaphorical?” Dr. Bergsma explains that Pope Pius XII released an encyclical in the 1950s which explains a framework for interpreting scriptures, and that the Church can help us to better understand the Bible. Original Air 7-24-18

Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Dave reflects on our tendency to be self-reliant. In today’s reading, God tells Jeremiah that his people have forsaken him and dug themselves broken cisterns. They did not rely on the Lord, rather they relied on themselves. Father Dave points out that we must trust God and leave things in his hands, just like saints Joachim and Anne. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 7-26-18

Jack Levison, Chair of Old Testament Interpretation at at Perkins School of Theology, and Dr. Robert Fine, a palliative care physician, stop by the studio to discuss the spirituality of end of life care, and what ancient texts can teach us about pain and suffering. Original Air 5-15-18