My dear Bishop Barron, I’m ever so grateful for your guidance, wisdom , and intelligence. For the first time in my 60 years I’m starting to know Christ and my catholicity. I’ve always had the gift of faith , but it’s so much more now that I have discovered you and your devotion . All to say that Christ has placed you into my life at precisely the right time. Thank you and God bless you always.
Thank you for this! I am a convert. I have always tried to evangelize my faith to our family but we have a highly volatile and ADD family. I never get out more than a sentence before they launch into emotionally charged pronouncements of why I am wrong. I have recently just completely withdrawn bc I just don't know how to deal with the persecution. They see it as "loving me despite my errors" but its it's really just bashing me over and over and dismissing everything I hold dear without ever listening to my reasoning. I feel bad for having withdrawn but it was also a tremendous feeling of relief. I know that to be a saint, I should seek out persecution, but for now I have withdrawn to an intense period of prayer.
The same thing happens to me. Persecution is a sign or signal that you're doing a good job. In spite of the fact that you and me and most of us make mistakes because we are not perfect. This doesn't mean that being persecuted won't harm you and me at all. It hurts. Anyway this is what we should expect to happen.
@@coldforgedcowboy I'll try to start reading him so as to follow your advice. To be honest I'm a bit tired of persecutions but in the end I overcome the hardships and keep on doing my job. Sometimes in a different way. Action speaks more powerfully than words. "Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness"
Persecution is not something on a checklist for saints. Jesus himself said to his disciples about the unsuccessful evangelization of the villages to not dwell on it. Also, his "brothers and his mother" tried to take him home at one moment. Move on.
I'm also a convert and find my passion for my faith off putting for cradle Catholics especially cafeteria ones. What also really bothers me are milk toast Pastors. We have to get back to the time when being a Pastor is not cool or WOKE.
It's also better to discuss our Catholic Christianity as a whole, globally, and not just always through the spectacles of the American world or the Western world. But I'm sure Bishop Barron has wider perspectives than most people, but the English-speaking world is not everything or even a leader in everything, this mindset can change too; Catholics have neighbors all over the world.
I had a challenging series of conversations with a friend today, and was not feeling great afterwards - go to see this coming up in the sub box and the words sang to me. Never thought to think of it is a type of "fatigue". I Immediately felt a sense of relief finding some words to the feeling. As always, thank you Bishop and God bless, excited to watch.
Leaving the ‘safe place’. conversion from long-time beliefs...praying...listening to take action on God’s direction... “My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.” Psalms 71:7 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I have been listening to Bishop Barron's narration of the Rosary every night, and he truly draws me in to the profound meaning behind each of the mysteries making it a powerful experience.
Each episode always address issues of supreme importance that are either completely misguided and useless or getting to the truth of things. Always appreciate this incredible formation and fruitful discussion, worth listening to several times with Bishop Barron.
Thank you for talking a little slower on this one - you have such enthusiasm and energy that sometimes it's hard to keep up and process your words. I love your 2 minute Tuesdays.
Thank you Bishop Barron. Just to share my point of view with regard to the 'arguments' (ideological dispositions), I think on our Christian approach we know the mode of conduct and open ended discussions but our approach majorly depends upon the different tactics of the atheist /skeptic too. Whereby the dynamics of winning someone by influencing with the Holy Spirit comes in play rather than intellectual ground gaining. Because I believe at the end of the day we are more emotional beings than intellectual ones. Good heart touching experience will eventually win the mind of one's own self. God bless you.
🌻🌻🌻 THANKS. Esta conversación hace la mejor invitación para Todos: Escuchar y distinguir, Conocer y reforzar nuestra opción. En lugar de ser sordos y violentos. Gracias 🙏 Excelente.
A parish in Lewisham in SE London, England had a visiting Priest, Fr Louis from Nigeria. He was ministering in the Parish for over 2 years. He went back to Nigeria in September, was kidnapped, beaten, escaped, reached a hospital only to die. He was a lovely man, passionate and caring, always singing. RIP Fr Louis.
Loved that advice: Acknowledge, Distinguish. I've been getting better at acknowledging, but still have a lot of trouble with the distinguishing. It really pains but I have to acknowledge he's right about the nature of Christian faith. There is a distinction there, and if you can get behind it, there are so many rewards: the community of believers, the forgiveness of sins, the mystery of sacrament, atonement with God, the empowerment of everlasting spirit. I haven't been able to do it, though. For me it all boils down to the Resurrection. I just can't believe that it actually happened. I understand that the people who were there believed it happened, and that there were many of them. I can understand the significance of the resurrection in symbolical, in poetic terms. I understand that the teachings of Christ are so adversarial to human culture that it is necessary to believe that they are the Voice of God in order to accept them. But I think all of these same things about the Buddha and the miracles attributed to him, and I experience the same sorts of phenomena practicing Vajryana, with the visualization of the deities and all of that. I do still pray the rosary, and I still pray to God every day. I listen to the sermons and even study scripture. I would like to go to mass, I would like to practice confession, I would like to return to my home to receive the holy sacrament of the Eucharist. But I can't lie about what I believe. And unfortunately, though I have been enjoying Bishop Barron's talks for over six months now, and he has introduced me to Aquinas and helped me to expand my sense of God, he has also told me repeatedly that if I don't accept the Resurrection I can't be a Christian. And I understand why. I'm not rebelling, Im just trying to practice radical acceptance concerning a deep sorrow within my own heart. Bless you for reading, and I hope you know I'm not trying to be adversarial. God's Peace to You All.
I think I might understand your situation. I have a background in science, and as a developing adult I struggled with many teachings, and miracles that were a huge stretch for me to fully accept, despite being a cradle catholic. Consequently I left the church and experimented with many other religions for 25+ years. While my mother was dying, after watching her suffer and shrivel to nothing with dementia, I was frantically searching for some kind of spiritual comfort for almost 2 years. Nothing from past religious/spiritual/new age-y dogmas was helping at all. This winding path led me back to the catholic church, via a website called Sacred Spaces I found at 3 am. This led to the incredible support and education thru WOF, and while I was preparing for confession so I could receive the Eucharist at my mothers funeral mass, I was reflecting on my angst years before, when science and my faith conflicted, raising the familiar doubts. From somewhere deep within, came the thought “faith before understanding, faith before understanding”. These 3 words confirmed my decision to return to Catholicism. Every once in awhile, I may note stirrings of doubt, or start analyzing, I tell myself “faith before understanding”, and pray. Keep praying, listen to Bishop Barron, and the Holy Spirit will guide you where you need to be.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for inspiring me to listen to this video that provoked more questions to direct me to the pursue of being more united to God. Much gratitude for Bishop Barron for. Light
The dance that Bishop Barron was describing and wanted a better word for: "dialogue". Not perfect but takes a lot of the animosity out of the connotation
Regarding the "safe place" that Bishop Barron mentioned, we witnessed this when Holy Spirit fell on all those in the safe haven of the upper room; they went out to conquer the world for Christ. PERFECT LOVE had touched them and removed all fear. Good stuff!!!
Oh, no I say I'm Roman Catholic Apostolic and the conversation ends right there, the speech is all mine and they listen pleasantly thanks to preachers, priest, nuns I've loved to become when I was a child but are kind of my own with my sacrifices. "We have moved beyond the Bible! Evolved to open up!" I say this pretty much, because it's true the world is one now thanks to us, at least to a 80%.
i appreciate the answer that God permits suffering to bring about a greater good, and that never much helped me in really bad times. what did make sense to me is the idea that one reaps what is sown - individually, nationally, and globally. also the example that the world is a vase that was broken (original sin) and mended (grace of God). but there are still cracks and lines in it. there is going to be suffering in this broken world, but Christ is always with us and we fix our eyes on Him in every storm.
We have become so afraid of danger that we no longer live. We hide from a perceived danger and buy all kinds of insurance rather that trusting God and living one day at a time. Have you read the Psalm of Life by Longfellow?
Thank you Bishop Barron! I love the talk it helps me so much. I will go out into the deep water and catch fish! 🐟 😃 Not forgetting to jump out of my rabbit hole 😂
God bless you, Bishop Barron. I one hundred percent agree with you. One thing I would add though is that things have been moving at a much faster pace. As much as I'd like to think that the other person would also engage in that two-step dance in disagreement you've mentioned, I've become somewhat skeptical. And I hope I don't sound like I'm being self-righteous in my assessment here. But what I've seen where I live (Brazil), especially in academia, is that now people aren't simply asking you to respect their beliefs and worldview - leave them alone in other words - they've shifted into beginning to demonize you for not holding the same opinion as they do. They've begun to do what they've accused Christians of doing as far as I can remember which is that christianity itself has oppressed other belief-systems for ever. If you don't share in their point of view now you're not just of a different faith, you're wrong and evil in many cases! Nonetheless I continue to pray to God so He will help us all sail these stormy waters.
superb! Thanks for the talk, unfortunatetly, I see, lot of younger people are getting rid their faith arguing it doesn't say anymore because just desagreeing is more confortable than going out of their own.
I don’t talk about politics as much anymore online. After being called every name in the book, I’m exhausted from the ugliness of people. I try to have a discussion and then It invariably turns into viciousness, so I’m pretty much done!
I was so weary I have to say of everything a merry go round. I've debated with other Christian's and Atheists and studied apologetics...all while NOT attending, (eating at me) but certainly praying. I've wrestled with so many 'life' things. I was tired, no direction and at best mixed up. I think the best thing that happened to me was losing a lot of things I thought mattered...My job etc. To be honest, I think God set me free...and if there's any truth to the weird notion of a great reset...well God was in control of that for me. I voted with my feet...I'm going back to Church to get nourished and not feeling like I'm 'outside' and a sinner looking in...I'm still a sinner but God wants me to be there and work through my faults with Him. That's where I'm at, and to be honest it's a better place...I've always loved Jesus...always...no matter... and His Church, but I thought for a long time that it's so impossible for me to be a saint. The Holy Spirit told me ( not in a burning bush way ) that it's okay, to keep going, stay in touch, vote with your feet, be sincere, build myself not let fear / uncertainty rule, but let the God of mercy be my gate. I love Him so much! Crazy times we live in but when God says, 'Stop' and interjects there are silver linings... I'm sure there are many like me too...I'm not unique...I'd say a lot of folks got introspective...and started to dig our way out and back home. Much Love!
It's true that Bilbo Baggins moves out of his safe space, but his life in the Shire really is a _very_ safe space; he's also rich, and knows he can go back to it at any time.
Part of the problem with arguing for belief in a Christian God, is people don't agree on the most fundamental facts about the human experience. Debating the validity of substantiation is lost on someone who is convinced they aren't even conscious in a real sense, or that they have no control of their responses in a deterministic reality. People have been in existential pain so long they no longer recognise it as lack of meaning.
How about calling "it" a conversation. If you want to have a meaningful conversation with somebody about GOD, you have to LOVE them first. You cannot fake LOVE. The other will quickly discern fake LOVE. You have to really, and I mean REALLY LOVE the other. You have to carry the load of making the time for them. You have to carry the load of being patient for them. And then the conversation will begin.
I have been watching Bishop Baron for I guess about a year, although I am an Evangelical. Why? Because Bishop Baron, while consistently defending core Catholic teaching, also consistently showing respect for those, such as me, who in certain respects disagrees with him. If persecution comes to this country as has happened in so many other countries, it will be against those who seek to serve Christ as their Lord, not those who merely call themselves Evangelicals or Catholics. Because of Bishop Baron's response to those who disagree with him, my life has been enriched by his perspectives and wisdom. Indeed, should persecution come, it would be an honor to share a cell with this learned man of God. But of course, I do not presume that the Bishop would feel the honor to be mutual.
@@BishopBarron Thank you, Bishop Baron. Everything I have heard you teach, as well as your treatment of those you don't agree with, backs up those words. Unfortunately, I snore.
@@BishopBarron I hope my warped sense of humor did not offend. I've thought if I had faith to sleep in a den of lions with Daniel, it might be the prophet I would need to fear.
Very few people are interested in truth or seeking answers. As Shia said in his interview with you, people are looking to exert power, or I've noticed, justify their priori beliefs and choices. Apologetics is excellent for strengthening the faith of the believer, giving it shape and rigour and in occasional cases helping the rare truth seeker overcome honest objections. Heart and experience seem to precede mind.
I think the story of Chesterton and Shaw as friends is a tired example. It says more for the magnanimity of those men than it does for their culture. In our own day it was said justices Scalia and Ginsburg had such a relationship as Chesterton and Shaw. If we do not have friends who totally disagree with our basic beliefs it may say more about us than anything else - our lack of basic love for our neighbors. Or we just need to get out more. The Chesterton model is about personal relationships not a cultural indictment. An orthodox Christian who shares his/her faith will always be looked at as counter cultural.
I have to confess that I struggle with this as well. I feel that I am black and blue from last year, and I will admit that I even left Twitter because it was relentless. I did, however, make a long list of those persons who had been very brutal to me and I pray for them every day on my rosary. I have noticed that now I am not angry with them anymore, and even find myself feeling very hopeful that my prayers are helping them to find God. I know that may sound cowardly, but I am not good at arguments--not skilled enough.
If there's one thing I hate about any friendship is the fact that talking about Politics and Religion are excluded from regular dialogue and are considered taboo. I would hope that us Catholics and other Christians can make the first step in de-sensitizing everyone to these topics by, well not by being brash, but by being both caring and intellectual when bringing those "NO-NO" topics up. 10:44 we take no offense...hopefully.
I thought you were going to talk about how to survive a relationship that seems to revolve around constant arguments. I have had to resort to retreating to solitude. But, unfortunately, I find myself responding with anger to what feels like repeated attacks on my character. I feel like a disobedient slave being chained to a post for whipping, my back being slashed open over and over, for not living up to her expectations of how a good slave-husband is supposed to strive to be the sole support for my family, and to do the cooking and cleaning, etc. Honestly, I could do more, but even when I am trying to do all I can, she still strikes me with criticism, and then I have to yell to make her stop, and retreat to my "sanctuary" to be alone. I don't know what to do. I'm thinking about leaving home, and living in the woods or on the streets. My anger is a hindrance to my life with the Lord, and she doesn't respect my spiritual focus. I write a blog that she doesn't read, and she wants to monopolize my time and efforts. When I'm working, she says I'm shirking my duty to do the tasks she doesn't want, because she's tired (which I understand) and the arguing begins again.
Yes I make the analogy it is like boxing, you won't get good and better at boxing unless you box. At the same time it isn't to beat up your opponent but you must do it respectfully in order to do it and expect to get knocked around a bit. You will toughen up, though.
Hey Fr. Bishop Barron. Right On. Can you help get the Christian House. Thank You! I will continue also. Gonna get ready A Community Counseling for All for in and out the House. To those who love Me and To whom I chooseth. Your thoughts father Bishop? Amene
On the subject of the Word prior to its becoming flesh ... I can remember being very taken with the way that Milton conceptualises the judgement of Adam and Eve in Eden being effected by “Messiah”.
"You"ll need some smarts and some courage"... both of which I'm desperately devoid of Bishop Barron. Some of us are just not smart enough to handle the types of content required to "argue" well. Perhaps it's best that the tiny boats get out of the way of the big ships at the entrance to the harbor, lest they block the way of those seaworthy enough to plough the depths, no? Great work Bishop Barron.
Atheists in general do not feel remorse for mocking believers, but believers feel remorse for mocking anyone. "Blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of the mocker." It's important to recognize the deep psychic, even existential motivations that atheists have for this. The same reason young men pick on beautiful young women when they are not brave or self controlled enough to confront them with love.
I have no problem telling any one I'm a Catholic. And once I do I almost immediately get a response. And yes there is a slight hesitation in that response. When I do not have an answer I send them in the direction of the Bishop😊
Don't be afraid of your Catholic identity. The Catholic Christianity is the number one religion, Don't be a coward. Second, Protestants are violently anticatholic, most of them because it is what Martin Luther taught them. Don't allow them to intimidate you
I think the phenomenon beyond understanding by humans are Faith, Prayers and God. So I don't think any scientist could give a perfect definition of these .
Fascinating how hideously ugly parts of the world still are? Think of the amazing disparities in a mostly very rich, (Santa Barbara) California culture vs a very insurgent, oppressive, impoverished Nigerian culture .... for many folks?? 💓💕🙏
Since I am not g_d himself it is a very good thing that people disagree with me sometimes instead of me believing that I know it all. After hearing this story about what happened to father Alis now I know for sure why I don't envy what priests have to go through more of than what some nuns in some nations probable have to go through too only because of traditional role norms like conscription of only men into the military in the nations where they are missionaries in. Once while in deep disagreement fatigue the government offered me a free life skills class and without hesitation I took them up on their offer while not realizing that it would include free classes in kick boxing too. Being the agreeable type I went along with that without missing any classes in kick boxing too although at the end of each class my disagreement fatigue only felt worse for me instead of better. Was me getting to admit that I did complete those classes too maybe helped me avoid another bout of disagreement fatigue again later? I doubt it. Could have made my body stronger for what I had to go through around everyone else's motion-induced interocular suppression too next during all of the pandemic rule changes too though.
Start by calling a local Priest first. Trying to personally contact Bishop Barron is like asking/expecting to get personally speak with your state Senator
I just want to say that due to COVID and going to Mass in general...Bishop Barron has helped me in my life. Hopefully he will become an archbishop and the 2nd American Pope (God Bless Pope Francis)
In regards to the "hobbyization" of religion, the flattening out of God, and the mythologization of Jesus, I've noticed this in comment boxes of channels and pages of strictly religious organizations. When there is a post that addresses anything in the political realm, inevitably a commenter who is, presumably, a believer, says something along the lines of, "Why can't you keep your religion out of your politics?" This attitude is so odd to me. If you believe in Jesus and everything he claims to be, I want to understand how it's possible to segregate Him from ANY part of your life. He should permeate, color, and guide EVERY part of our lives. I'm a Christian *always*, not just when I'm not discussing politics.
@14:00 the point, the Bishop made, regarding sharing understanding of what our ideas are/debating ideas, is a healthier and fairer way to educate each other. The goal of sharing, should be, challenging ourselves and others, towards peaceful maturity and a more loving intellectual evolution. The goal is to grow and find a deeper meaning to life, not just to be right about a point in the moment.
Many topics are considered christian/religious due to the side of the topic you are on. Even if it has nothing to do with being christian/religious. It seems that ethics and morals are enforcing being christian/religious due to taking the opposite side of the topic. 'You religious people don't see what is happening and want to hold back progress'. Yet even atheists and non religious I know are on the same side of the topic as I am. Morals and ethics are not only religious, sometimes they are just good and right. Many won't change their views on the topic ever. Even trying would be a frustrating exercize in attempting to get your point across. Not once during the conversation did I mention Jesus or God, they jumped to that conclusion due to my opposition of their belief.
