July 21, 2026 - Hour 1

Segment 1: Who were Jesus’ “brothers?”Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew includes one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. Matthew says that while Jesus was speaking, “his mother and his brothers appeared outside.” Given this verse, why do Catholics insist that Mary had no other children? Marcus explains.Segment 2: The First Step to Increasing Vocations In 2026, the Church in the United States saw 9% fewer priestly ordinations than it had 10 years earlier. Despite widespread decreases in priestly vocations, some diocese have seen steady or even growing numbers of vocations. Jack Figge joins us with a look at where things are working, and why.Segment 3: Why “Calvin and Hobbes” Still Matters (2 segments)Bill Watterson retired his comic strip Calvin and Hobbes more than thirty years ago, but its legacy endures. The young boy and his tiger friend regularly escaped the confines of reality to explore matters of philosophy, ethics, theology and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com