Martyrs Podcast

21. Announcements

Fr. Hall discusses upcoming RCIA classes, the Lenten Scrutinies, and choosing a patron Saint.

#3 Seeing Christ in the Day-to-Day

Two priests. Two personalities. Two perspectives.
In the third episode of this new series, Fr. Nathan Hall (Tin Man) and Fr. Ryan Kaup (Scarecrow) sit down to chat about seeing Christ in the day-to-day. 

Psalm 95

Our psalm this week calls us to praise God, it leads us into his presence, and... it issues a stark warning? This lent is a time for us in the desert where we can choose each day to turn away from Egypt - our past sins - and turn to the water Christ gives. It’s a time for us to say, as we do in the refrain, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
 
Click to read the transcript 

The Transfiguration: An Invitation to Prayer

The transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor teaches us about prayer. Fr. Hall relates our prayer life to the three movements of going up the mountain, experiencing Jesus' transfiguration, and going back down the mountain. This Lent can be a wonderful opportunity to make the effort to pray, to be open to encountering Jesus (perhaps for the first time), and to remember that encounter during our times of suffering. 

20.2 Merit, Holiness, the Church, and the Spirit

After tackling the major topic of the law in part one, in this second part of the class, Fr. Wahlmeier first addresses the thorny issue of merit. Called into question by the Reformation, a Catholic understanding of merit is actually essential for understanding many of Jesus' parables. Fr. Wahlmeier then dives into the virtues, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as Church law. 
 
Access the class handout here

20.1 The Moral Law, Justification, and Grace

Fr. Wahlmeier takes on some of the more difficult topics of the Catholic faith and explains how they're best understood in reference to Christ. The moral law is God's ordering wisdom partially made known by reason, further unveiled in the Old Covenant, and then fully revealed in Christ. Justification is offered in the grace of Christ through faith and introduces us into the life of God. Walking in this new life is the New Law. 
 
Access the class handout here

Psalm 33

This week we continue our on-the-go Bible study series on the Psalms. And our psalm this week (Psalm 33) is the perfect prayer to follow up last week's psalm. In Psalm 51 we prayed for God's mercy so that we might rejoin the worshiping community. Psalm 33 is an answer to that prayer. And there are some other great nuggets in here, such us a glimpse of the Trinity, insight into God's providence over creation, and a call to trust in God even in the face of death. Read in light of this Sunday's readings, the beauty of God's plan in Christ comes spilling out into our lives. 

Facing Temptation with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Our Gospel this Sunday presents the three-fold temptation of Jesus in the desert. First thing we need to understand, Fr. Hall explains, is that Jesus truly experienced temptation. Because he was truly tempted, he can sympathize with our own struggles. This means we should not allow our struggles to keep us from turning to God. Fr. Hall continues to explain how the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can aid us in our struggle against temptations. 

Psalm 51

The Psalms are the life-blood of the Church’s prayer life. That is why, this Lent, we are offering an on-the-go type of Bible study series on the Psalms! But we won't try and cover all 150 of them. Instead we'll be focusing in on those psalms which we'll pray together at each Sunday Mass of Lent. The hope is that you’ll find at least one thing in these brief reflections that you can take to prayer. And that this prayer will make your Lent all the more fruitful.
 
For this first Sunday of Lent (and also Ash Wednesday), we’re given Psalm 51, a great prayer of repentance, God's hesed, and the healing power of grace. 
 
So, open up your Bibles and dive in!

More than Justice

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to his disciples about turning the other cheek. But what does this mean? Fr. Hall helps unpack this enigmatic saying of Jesus, explaining that while justice is important, Jesus is inviting us into a way of life - much like his own - which seeks our neighbor's good even when they hurt us.