Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “He Must Increase, I Must Decrease” VanVickle is not joining me (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) today, but we’ve still got a great show. First, I talk about the poverty of the Cross, how Jesus was stripped of everything, and suffered like no one else ever has or ever will and how that needs to be at the absolute center of everything we do. Next, I read some glory stories from our audience (someone from Ireland wrote in, so we’re bonafide international now). It’s amazing to hear about the good things happening in parishes, since we’re constantly inundated with negative news. Finally, I answer a couple questions about how to make meetings more Christocentric, and how to include the kerygma in training efforts. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com and be sure to check out the shownotes at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow or text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe!Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

A thorough understanding of the world Jesus lived in is vital to a thorough understanding of Jesus himself. I’m talking to Marcellino D’Ambrosio, aka “Dr. Italy” founder of Crossroads Initiative and co-author of Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and The Life about the historical context of the Old Testament, the world in which Jesus began his ministry. Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Kangaroo” VanVickle and I are bouncing around (see what I did there?) answering your questions about spiritual direction, Church scandals, and bringing Jesus into secular work environments, like the medical field and academia. Snippet from the Show “Every Catholic needs spiritual direction, but you don’t necessarily need a regular spiritual director.”  SHOWNOTES *Please continue to pray for Dave’s wife and family during this difficult battle with cancer. Janet’s Email (7:57) - Using the Kerygma in the Medical Field Jen’s Email (11:26) - Are Spiritual Directors Necessary?  Matthew’s Email (21:04) - How to Encourage Parishioners Not to Leave after Scandal Kiara’s Email Pt. 1 (28:22) - Prayer Request Kiara’s Email Pt. 2 (33:39) - How to Call Our Colleagues to a Life with Jesus 5 Practical Takeaways Pray for the plenary council mentioned in Kiara’s emailPray for Janet and her group of nurses in Cincinnati Pray for Matthew’s parish, that God sends them healing and great leadersPray for Kiara’s PhD thesis Pray that God sends more spiritual directors to those who need them Resources Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list!Previous Episode: Prison Stories with GomerCatching Foxes Podcast with Gomer and LukeLearn more about Opus Dei and Regnum ChristiThe Activated Disciple: Taking Your Faith to the Next Level by Jeff CavinsJesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life  Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Meateater” VanVickle and I talk about the trap of thinking we need to earn God’s love. This idea is what leads us to that “holier-than-thou” attitude where we congratulate ourselves for not sinning, and then look down on those who are struggling with sin. The reality is that God is a loving father who will give us what we need to serve and love him (aka grace). It’s not through our own efforts that we earn God’s love, it is a free gift that we can respond to … or not.Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Today, I’m talking to the one and only Brandon Vogt, Content Director at Word on Fire, and expert in all things online evangelization. We talk about Bishop Barron, debating with atheists, proving the existence of God, and how to read more books. Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list! Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Exception for Every Rule” Van Vickle is back with me, Mike “Gomer” Gormley, as we talk about the ups and downs of prison ministry. 5 Practical Tips for Prison Ministry Connect with a corrections ministry in your diocese so you don’t reinvent the wheel or cause any missteps that could get you in trouble.If you have a relative in prison, put money in their commissary account and call them or write to them.Donate Bibles, Catechisms, and apologetics books to your local unit, including ones in Spanish.Pray a Rosary this week for the incarcerated and for the correction officers.Check out the Romans Bible study by Ascension Press. Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com or text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get the shownotes!Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

First off, I want to thank you all for your pouring of prayers, concern, and even money to the VanVickle family as his wife battles cancer. He wanted me to tell you that he has been uniquely blessed by your love and support and he is praying for you all. Today we are pulling an episode from the archives about spiritual warfare, becuase it's a hugely important topic. Quite literally, spiritual warfare is a struggle between two kingdoms—a battle between man and that which draws man away from God. This fighting and resisting evil is a common experience, yet many don’t believe they are at war. Therefore they come unprepared to fight the battle. We discuss the Church Fathers’ understanding of spiritual warfare, the context behind the Church’s teachings on the subject, and practical ways you can resist evil and equip yourself with the best possible resources.Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “Brother from the Blessed Mother” VanVickle is unfortunately not with us today. Just before Christmas, Dave’s wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer, so please storm heaven with your prayers for Amber VanVickle and their family! Today is a short episode about the meaning of generosity in the Christian life. We don’t usually hear about generosity until tithing time, but generosity extends far beyond dollars. We need to practice generosity at all times, especially when it comes to our prayers and participation in the Church. Snippet from the Show Generosity is not God asking too much of us, it is God asking for a fraction of what he has already done for us. SHOWNOTES 2 Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Philippians 2: 5-8 - Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. GoFundMe for the VanVickle family Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Happy New Year! We’ve got five resolutions for Catholics who want to continue to spread the Good News in 2020. 5 Resolutions for Catholic Evangelizers Read a Gospel a week. Read The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard. Begin the practice of mental prayer. Look for one chance each day to evangelize by listening first, and then maybe speaking. Pray the Memorare each day asking Mary to bring people to you, so you can introduce them to her Son. We want to hear from you! Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe and email us at eksb@acensionpress.com with your comments and questions—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

On this glorious Christmas day, I, Gomer, give an abbreviated recap of King Herod’s dark, violent, and corrupt history. It was in the face of this proud ruler who did anything to secure his worldly power and wealth that God sent the most humble Christ-child. This Christmas, remember that no matter how small and insignificant you might feel, your “yes” to God will allow Christ to be born into this proud and haughty world in which we live. As a practical takeaway, meditate on this reality while praying the words of Mary’s Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name; And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” **Snippet from the Show **God always works through the hidden, the small, and even the despised things of this world. Resources Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get on our email list! Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer for the People 1 Maccabees and 2 MaccabeesSupport Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)