Saint Philip Neri's Maxim for February 12 remind us of the power of Prayer: :There is nothing more to the purpose for exciting a spirit of prayer, than the reading of spiritual books.
If you have never read the Bible, but want to know what is in it, take one minute and read the Our Father: it's a paraphrase: According to Tertullian (CC 2761) said "The Lord's Prayer is truly the summary of the whole gospel." On the other hand, if you prefer a compendium of the Bible, read the Rosary. But wait, there's more: if you need more detail, listed to the deconstructed Rosary: Father Mark-Mary's Rosary in a Year Podcast. Today marks day 43
A couple of years ago, our daughter suggested we listen to Father Mike Schmitz's Cathechism in Year (CIY) Podcast.
The idea was not too appealing. After I had previously recommended to the family that whenever there were doubts about Church Teachings, to simply refer to the Catechism- I even bought them all a printed copy. Then the online version became available. All very convenient, yet there was a caveat: The Catechism was too technical and it was not easy to read or comprehend.
We reluctantly started our daily dose of CIY and Bible in a Year (BIY) podcasts. On short notice we were hooked on Father Mike's down to earth engaging style. We found Father Mike's presentations not only easy-to-understand but also informative and entertaining, dispelling many myths along the way, even though I
had already read different versions of the Bible, listened to various Bible expositors, such as Pastor Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie, Rick Warren and others. I was also studying the writings of Cardinal Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict XVI.
Father Mike Schmitz, using the Catholic Catechism, deconstructs the Lord's Prayer, using the last twelve episodes of his Catechism In a Year Channel and shows why Tertullian was right.
Then there's the Book of Revelation. In Seven Days, starting in Day 359, Father Mike's treatment of the Book of Revelation took the mystery out of it and made it easier to digest.
Whether you are a Bible neophyte or a Bible expert - like I thought I was - going through Father Mike's Bible In a Year and Catechism In a Year Podcasts cannot only be edifying but get you ready to give an answer:" Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." 1 Peter Chapter 3
As Saint Paul charged Timothy: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:
Then there's the Book of Revelation. In Seven Days, starting in Day 359, Father Mike's treatment of the Book of Revelation took the mystery out of it and made it easier to digest.
Whether you are a Bible neophyte or a Bible expert - like I thought I was - going through Father Mike's Bible In a Year and Catechism In a Year Podcasts cannot only be edifying but get you ready to give an answer:" Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." 1 Peter Chapter 3
As Saint Paul charged Timothy: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:
I felt so confident on my accumulated wealth of Biblical knowledge that more than once, I had said something like "It's not Biblical." Referring to Homilies, art or simply comments. To only later realize I was wrong after hearing Father Mike Schmitz's Podcasts
We successfully completed Father Mike Schmitz's Catechism In a Year (CIY) Podcast as well as the Bible in a Year (BIY,) and picked up Divine Office along theway, three times a day: Lauds, Vesper and Compline. While it took some convincing to pick up Father Mike's podcasts, we completed them both on December 2023.
So what about Father Mike-Mary's Rosary in a Year Podcast?
Last month our daughter introduced us to Father Mike-Mary's Rosary in a Year Podcast. Again, we were reluctant to tackle it. After all, we thought, Father Mike is an all-star Father Mark-Mary's a monk, and we pray the Rosay daily, what's the value add?
Once again, we were 100% wrong. Father Mark-Mary's deconstruction of the Rosary is very enlightening & his style is perfect for the subject matter. While we are just on day 43 of the RIY podcast, we can't wait to finish. We are hooked!
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