
Hosted by Bishop Robert Barron · EN

Recently, Bishop Barron traveled to the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. He gave a homily during a breakout session to all the priests present there, and now we are bringing it to you. Enjoy! Link: Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Friends, we are in the midst of a mental health crisis, with many calling it another pandemic. Record-high numbers of Americans are facing depression and suicide. Nearly half of young people report feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness. What's behind this crisis, and how can the Church help? That's what Brandon Vogt and I discuss on today's episode of "The Word on Fire Show." A listener asks, is "just war theory" a concession to human weakness? How do we square that with Jesus' teachings on non-violence? 00:00 | Intro 01:09 | USCCB recap on surrogacy 03:49 | Why the mental health crisis matters to bishops 06:00 | Social media's role in damaged mental health 09:39 | Community's role in healing mental health 13:03 | The connection between psychological and spiritual suffering 16:09 | Religious disaffiliation and mental illness 17:47 | Who is St. Dymphna? 18:40 | A word for those wrestling with poor mental health 20:55 | Listener question 24:17 | New book—"Christ Brings All Newness" Links Bishop Barron's statement on surrogacy Christ Brings All Newness: Essays, Reviews, and Reflections by Fr. Robert Imbelli NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, why are we so tempted to scapegoat people, especially online? And how do we escape that trap? On today's episode of "The Word on Fire Show," Brandon Vogt and I discuss the great Catholic philosopher René Girard and his theory of scapegoating. A listener asks, what does Bishop Barron think of classical education? Links Bishop Barron Presents: Luke Burgis All Desire is a Desire for Being edited by Cynthia Haven I See Satan Fall Like Lightning by René Girard Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life by Luke Burgis Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography by Holly Ordway NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we share with you Bishop Barron's keynote talk from the 2023 Wonder Conference, hosted by Word on Fire. His keynote addressed scientism, the view that authentic truth claims can be made only in regard to those matters treatable through the scientific method, and offered three paths of scape: the intelligibility of the world, the immateriality of the mind, and the inescapability of metaphysics. Links A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from College Baseball Star to Catholic Priest by Fr. Burke Masters NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, what makes great leaders great? Why do certain men and women seem to lead with such effectiveness? On today's episode of "The Word on Fire Show," Brandon Vogt and I discuss several great leaders including Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr., Pope St. John Paul II, and Queen Elizabeth II. A listener asks, how can I be sure if I'm acting out a theo-drama or an ego-drama? Links Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture by Matthew Petrusek The Thomistic Response to the Nouvelle Théologie: Concerning the Truth of Dogma and the Nature of Theology by Raymond-Léopold Bruckberger NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, in today’s episode of “The Word on Fire Show,” we share Lecture 1 from Peter Kreeft’s new 12-part video series on “Socrates’ Children: The Great Debates of Philosophy.” In this lecture series, Dr. Peter Kreeft examines key ideas in philosophy by comparing and contrasting two representative philosophers in each lecture. The first lecture compares the father of philosophy, Socrates, with the Sophists, whose philosophy is marked more by cleverness and emotion rather than by wisdom and truth. This video series is being released alongside Word on Fire’s new book series by Kreeft, titled Socrates’ Children: An Introduction to Philosophy from the 100 Greatest Philosophers. In this four-volume series, Kreeft examines with his characteristic wit and clarity, the big ideas of four major eras—ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary—and immerses the reader in the “great conversation” the ongoing dialogue among the great thinkers of history. Links Socrates’ Children books + video series NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, on today's episode of the "Word on Fire Show," Brandon Vogt and I recap two recent discussions I shared with Lex Fridman and Shia LaBeouf. With over two million views combined, these discussions struck a chord with people and I think they reveal several lessons for Catholics interested in drawing others closer to God. A listener asks, how do you get so many things done? Links Lex Fridman discussion Shia LeBeouf discussion The Holy Hour: Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration edited by Matthew Becklo With All Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life edited by Rachel Bulman Wonder Conference

Friends, as you may have heard, Pope Francis recently appointed me the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota). I will be formally installed on July 29. On today's episode of “The Word on Fire Show,” Brandon Vogt and I discuss how I found out, how the process works, how it will affect Word on Fire, and what I'm looking forward to most in my new diocese. A listener asks, what is it like to act in persona Christi from a physical and emotional perspective?

Friends, I recently had the privilege of speaking with Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of the popular "Bible in a Year" podcast. We spoke at the 2021 Good News Conference, and our conversation ranged over a variety of topics, including our vocation stories, our early efforts on YouTube, our favorite movies, arguing on social media, and much more. We also shared what inspired us to take creative new approaches to the Bible, and how the success of these projects reveals a hunger for a deeper understanding of Scripture. Enjoy! Links The Word on Fire Bible The "Bible in a Year" Podcast More Content from the Good News Conference Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we discuss a recent article by Tim Keller, the popular Protestant pastor, titled "The Fading of Forgiveness: Tracing the Disappearance of the Thing We Need Most". Why are people increasingly skeptical about forgiveness? Keller proposes two reasons: a therapeutic culture, and religion without grace. A listener asks, how did God create the universe if not from potentiality? Links WOFI Faith & Science Summit >> https://wordonfire.institute/science NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!