Three-word Confession
At the end of our lives, there are only three words that really matter, and no, it’s not “Go Cubs Go.” St. Paul gives us the true final confession: “Jesus is Lord.” As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Church year, we’re invited to remember what everything ultimately leads to: the simple, powerful truth that Jesus is God. If we hold onto anything at the end, let it be that.
They Will See God
What if seeing God isn’t about trying harder, but desiring Him more simply? For this week the friars turn to the Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” In this episode, they explore what purity of heart really means, not moral perfection, but a heart that looks to Jesus without distraction, without divided desires, without constantly turning back toward the world. They talk about intimacy with God, the battle against distraction, how sin clouds our vision, and how purity isn’t about hating yourself but forgetting yourself so you can finally fix your gaze on the One who loves you. Through the lens of St. Francis, the saints, and our own daily struggles, this conversation invites us to reorient our hearts toward the Father and receive again the joy that comes from seeing Him clearly. Walk with us as we learn to desire what He desires and see God in a new and life-changing way.
Can Priests Be Rich?
Can priests own fancy cars or expensive things? Do some priests make money? It’s a question people ask often, and the answer reveals something deeper about what it means to follow Jesus. From vows of poverty to promises of prayer and obedience, discover how the priesthood isn’t about possessions… It’s about purpose. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Edward Looney explains the difference between diocesan priests and religious order priests and why both are called to live lives of simplicity and service, not wealth.
Wisdom in Speaking
Have you ever won an argument against your grandma? Exactly. There’s a quiet wisdom in her you just can’t beat. Mother Teresa was the same, simple words, simple life, yet no one ever “won” a debate with her. Because real holiness isn’t something you argue with. It speaks for itself. This week’s reflection unpacks Jesus’ promise: “I will give you wisdom in speaking that your adversaries will be powerless to refute.” When we grow in holiness and ask Jesus for wisdom, the truth carries its own weight. And yes, still probably a bad idea to argue with your grandma.
Fire, Desire and Theosis
What do you really hunger and thirst for?
As the friars continue through the Franciscan Lent, they dive deep into the Beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” This conversation is about holy desire, the kind that burns, refines, and draws us closer to God Himself.
They unpack what it means to let go of lesser hungers, to purify our desires, and to rediscover the fire that leads to union with God. From St. Francis’ radical poverty to our own longing for holiness, the friars remind us that this journey isn’t about doing more, but actually about becoming more like Him.
Join us as we learn to hunger for what truly satisfies, the very life of God alive within us.
What Is Purgatory and Why It’s Good News?
The word purgatory isn’t in the Bible, but neither are Trinity or Christmas. Still, the reality of purgatory is both real and hopeful: it’s not punishment, it’s preparation. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what purgatory truly is. It’s a time of purification that readies our hearts to be with Jesus forever. Through Scripture, the Catechism, and one unforgettable wedding dress analogy, he shows why purgatory is actually good news.
Witness of the Saints
Top five most gruesome apostle martyrs. Coming in fifth, St. Thomas, stabbed to death with a spear. Coming in fourth St. James, the Lesser, clubbed to death. Coming in third St. Simon sawed in half. Coming in second, our very own first Pope St. Peter crucified upside down and coming in first St. Bartholomew skinned alive. Today, the feasts of St. John LA and you walk into this basilica and you see statues of the apostles holding the tools of their martyrdom. This is the witness of the saints. Death had no power over the witness of the apostles. Death has no power over Jesus Christ and as Catholic Christians, death has no power over you. Go be witnesses of Jesus. Just don’t get skinned alive.
Franciscan Lent
After a season of Jubilee rest, the friars return with fresh hearts and a new invitation: to enter the “Franciscan Lent”, a hidden season of simplicity, detachment, and joyful expectation. Drawing from the life of St. Francis and the Beatitudes, they explore what it really means to become small, to depend completely on God, and to let Him provide what we cannot.
This episode isn’t about doing more, it’s about letting go, trusting deeply, and rediscovering the joy that comes from poverty of spirit.