All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri
by Ascension
Join well-known theologian and author Edward Sri for weekly insights on understanding and living out the Catholic faith. Delve deeper into the Bible, prayer time, virtue, relationships, marriage and family and culture with practical reflections on all things Catholic. Don't just go through the motions. Live as an intentional Catholic, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Episodes
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How St. John Paul II Faced Fear (And How You Can Too)
“Be not afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.” These were the first words St. John Paul II spoke to the world at his installation Mass in October 1978. They inspire us, but they’re also hard to live. Dr. Sri explores what these words really mean, why trying harder not to be afraid rarely works,...
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St. Teresa of Ávila’s Wisdom on Prayer
In a world full of distractions, how do we make room for God? Drawing on St. Teresa of Ávila's spiritual classic, The Interior Castle, Dr.Sri explains why cultivating an interior life is essential for deepening our relationship with God. He introduces mental prayer as a foundational practice and...
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Why the Rosary Can Feel So Hard
The Rosary is a beautiful prayer—but sometimes it can feel surprisingly difficult. Our minds wander, we get tired, and finding 15–20 minutes to pray can feel impossible. So what should we do when the Rosary feels more like a chore than a prayer? Dr. Sri offers encouragement and practical ways to...
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The Gift of Your Guardian Angel
You have a guardian angel—but what exactly does your guardian angel do? And can you give your guardian angel a name? Dr. Sri explains what the Catholic Church teaches about guardian angels, from the moment we receive them to their role in protecting and guiding us toward heaven. _ _ For full...
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What Is Your Freedom For?
Doing whatever you want isn’t true freedom. We often think freedom means being free from rules, expectations, or anyone telling us what to do—but God gave us free will for something much deeper: the freedom to love. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text...
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How We Know God Inspired the Bible
Is the Bible really the Word of God? What makes the Bible different from the texts of other religions, and how can we know that Scripture is truly inspired by God? Dr. Sri explains Divine Revelation and how we can have confidence that, through Sacred Scripture, we encounter God speaking to us. _…
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Why Catholics Pray the Hail Mary
Did you know that the Hail Mary is actually a prayer that ultimately leads us to Jesus? Dr. Sri explains the Biblical roots of the prayer and reveals how Jesus is the “center of gravity” of the prayer. He also offers a simple way to pray it with greater attention and love. _ _ For full shownotes,...
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Living Centered on Christ
Do you long for greater peace, stability, and wholeness in your life? Dr. Sri explores the spiritual symbolism of the magnificent rose windows found in Gothic cathedrals and what they reveal about the secret to a well-ordered soul. Discover why a life centered on Jesus brings a deeper peace that...
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The Secret of the Messiah
Why did Jesus command His disciples to keep His identity as the Messiah a secret? As Peter finally professes that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus reveals that His kingdom will look radically different from the kingdoms of this world—and that the Messiah’s path will lead not to worldly power, but to…
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Believe the Impossible
When a situation in your life feels impossible—where do you turn for hope? Dr. Sri explores why Jesus calls Simon “Bar-Jonah” and reveals the profound connection between the prophet Jonah, St. Peter, and the mission of every Christian disciple. Through the stories of Jonah and Peter, we’re…
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Was Jesus Rude to the Canaanite Woman?
At first glance, Jesus’ words to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 seem shockingly harsh. Why would Jesus respond this way to a desperate mother begging for her daughter’s healing? Dr. Sri explores the first-century Jewish context, the symbolism of bread and the two miraculous feedings, and the...
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Are You Tired of Rowing Against the Wind?
What do you do when it feels like you're rowing against the wind in life? Whether you're facing struggles in your marriage, family, workplace, prayer life, or your own battle with recurring weakness, it can feel like you're making no progress. Dr. Sri reflects on Jesus walking on the water…
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The Prophecies Fulfilled in the Loaves and the Fish
The feeding of the 5,000 is far more than an incredible miracle—it is one of the clearest revelations of who Jesus truly is. Dr. Sri uncovers the rich biblical symbolism behind the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, explaining how this miracle fulfills the hopes of Israel, points directly…
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Meeting the Saints and Martyrs in the Mass
Why does the priest name so many saints and martyrs during Eucharistic Prayer 1? Far from being a list of unfamiliar names, these saints and martyrs reveal the Church's living tradition and remind us that every Mass unites heaven and earth. Dr. Sri explores the rich meaning behind all these holy...
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Reflecting the Heart of the Father
The greatest gift a father can give his children isn't success, discipline, or provision—it's a glimpse of the heart of God. Dr. Sri explores additional pitfalls fathers can fall into and explains what it means for earthly fathers to reflect the compassionate, patient, and unconditional love of…
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4 Ways Fathers Miss the Mark
One of the greatest ways children come to know God the Father is through their earthly father. Dr. Sri explores how fathers are called to reflect the Father's love, mercy, and authority, while examining the common pitfalls of absent, authoritarian, permissive, and overly career-focused…
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You Are My Beloved Son
What if the words spoken over Jesus at His baptism, "You are my beloved Son," are the very same words the Father is speaking over you today? Dr. Sri uncovers the Father's relentless love throughout salvation history and explains how Jesus reveals the heart of the eternal Father. Learn why your...
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The Father's Mercy After the Fall
What if your greatest failures could become the place where you encounter God's mercy most deeply? Dr. Sri's explores the Church's striking phrase "O happy fault" and explains how the fall of Adam and Eve unveils a powerful new dimension of the Father's merciful love. _ _ For full shownotes…
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Trusting the Father's Heart
Do you really believe in the Father's love for you? The devil's main tactic is to sow doubt in our hearts about God the Father—causing us to question the Father’s goodness, His love, and His care for us. Dr. Sri explains how to grow in greater trust in our Heavenly Father and surrender our lives...
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How God the Father Sees You
Many Catholics call God "Father," but few truly experience the depth of His fatherly love in their daily lives. Dr. Sri explores how Scripture—especially the opening chapters of Genesis—reveals the heart of our Heavenly Father: a Father who delights in us, provides for us, sees our deepest needs,...
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The Crisis of Fatherhood
What do children most deeply long for from their fathers? Dr. Sri kicks off a 3-part series on fatherhood by discussing the crisis of fatherhood in our culture and explaining what true fatherhood looks like. Today, drawing from Scripture, Dr. Sri reveals how God the Father provides the perfect...
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Encountering God in Every Homily
The homily is far more than a simple sermon or inspirational talk—it is a sacred moment in the liturgy where God desires to speak directly to our hearts. Dr. Sri explains how the homily prepares us for a deeper encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. For full shownotes, visit...
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Letting the Holy Spirit Descend Into Our Wounds
What if the places in your life that feel stagnant, dry, or broken are exactly where the Holy Spirit wants to meet you? Jesus promised that rivers of living water would flow from the hearts of those who believe in Him — a promise fulfilled through the Holy Spirit. Dr. Sri explains how God’s…
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Is God Going to Show Up for Me?
In moments of uncertainty, disappointment, and confusion, it's common to wonder in our hearts, "Lord, are you really there?" Dr. Sri encourages us by unpacking Jesus’ promise in the Great Commission: “I am with you always.” He explains how Christ remains present to us at all times through His...
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Is There Salvation Outside the Church?
Can people who practice other religions be saved? Dr. Sri grounds his answer to this complex question in the theological virtue of hope, thereby preventing us from falling into two common extremes—despair or presumption. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text...
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When Prayer Is Hard: Wisdom from St. Catherine of Siena
Distraction, dryness, boredom, and discouragement are common in prayer. In this special pilgrimage episode, Dr. Sri stands in the home of St. Catherine of Siena—just outside the room where she spent years in deep prayer. Drawing from her wisdom, Dr. Sri explores why prayer can feel so difficult…
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Jesus on Your Mind, Lips & Heart
What makes the Gospel reading at Mass so different from every other reading in Scripture? Dr. Sri invites us to look more closely at the beauty, reverence, and meaning behind the Gospel proclamation in the Liturgy of the Word. From standing and singing Alleluia to the procession of the Book of…
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The Mass: Our Road to Emmaus
What does the resurrection story in Luke 24, the road to Emmaus, reveal about the Mass? Dr. Sri invites us to see how the disciples' journey on the road to Emmaus mirrors our own spiritual lives—filled with hope, confusion, joy, and sorrow. More importantly, it reveals what God truly desires from...
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Divine Mercy and the Pressure to Get It Right
As we approach Divine Mercy Sunday, many of us feel an unspoken pressure in our spiritual lives: Am I doing this right? From prayer to parenting, vocation to discernment, we can approach our faith with anxiety, striving for perfection rather than resting in God’s love. Dr. Sri reminds us of a...
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What the Conversion of the Good Thief Teaches Us
The "Good Thief" was actually mocking Jesus earlier on Good Friday, so what changed? Dr. Sri explores his dramatic conversion and what it reveals about human weakness, repentance, and the limitless mercy of God. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text...
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Why Caiaphas Condemned Jesus
What if the moment Jesus is condemned to death is actually the moment He reveals who He truly is? As we prepare for Palm Sunday, Dr. Sri takes a deep dive into Gospel of Matthew and the dramatic trial of Jesus before Caiaphas. Far from a simple courtroom exchange, this scene is steeped in…
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Jesus Wants to Raise the Lazarus in You
The raising of Lazarus is more than a miracle—it's climactic sign that reveals Jesus’ love that leads Him to the Cross. Dr. Sri explains how this miracle is a turning point in the Gospel and how it shows us Jesus' deepest love for His friends. Just as Jesus calls Lazarus to come out, he continues...
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Why Love Is More than Feelings
What is the role of feelings in romantic relationships and marriage? Dr. Sri explains that while emotions play an important role in relationships, they cannot be the foundation of love. Instead, real love requires commitment, clear judgment, and growth through challenges. _ _ For full shownotes,...
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God's Design for Sensuality
God created sensual desire. It is powerful, beautiful, and good. But what happens when that desire becomes detached from love and commitment? Dr. Sri continues unpacking Pope John Paul II's profound insights on the key difference between authentic love and subtle forms of mutual use. _ _ For full...
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Is Attraction a Sin? St. John Paul II Answers
What’s happening in the human heart when we feel that sudden “spark” of attraction? Dr. Sri turns to the wisdom of St. John Paul II and his profound work Love and Responsibility to helps us to understand how to navigate our attractions so that they lead to authentic love—rather than lust and use....
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How Could Jesus Be Tempted?
As Lent begins, the Church invites us into the mystery of Christ’s temptation in the desert. Drawing from the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Sri explores why Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted—and what His victory reveals about humility, spiritual maturity, and confidence in the Father’s mercy.…
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This Lent, Look Inside Your Heart
Lent is coming—but is your plan just about doing more, or about letting Jesus go deeper? Dr. Sri unpacks Jesus’ powerful words from the Sermon on the Mount and shows how Lent isn’t meant to be a checklist of prayers and sacrifices, but a pathway to interior transformation. _ _ For full shownotes,...
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How to Be the Light in the Darkness
Have you switched the light on in your faith? Drawing from Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Sri explores what Jesus truly meant when He called His disciples to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Unpacking the historical world of first-century Judaism—with its political…
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What Is the Big Picture of Jesus' Ministry?
Do you ever wonder how all the events of Jesus public ministry fit into an overarching mission? Dr. Sri explains how the Gospel of Matthew gives us the big picture of Jesus' public ministry, connecting the old testament to Jesus' Kingdom mission. _ _ For full shownotes, visit...
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How Shame Keeps Us Hiding
What does the Bible really mean when it says Adam and Eve were “naked and not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25)? Dr. Sri explores how Adam and Eve’s physical nakedness points to something far deeper: total trust, vulnerability, and freedom—what we were created for before sin entered the world. He reveals…
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Is Masculinity and Femininity Toxic? (with Pete Burak)- Part 2
What does authentic masculinity and femininity actually look like? In part two of this special SEEK 26 episode, Dr. Sri continues his conversation with Pete Burak, focusing on one of the most pressing cultural dynamics facing young adults today: the growing tension between men and women.…
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Raising Men of God in a Confused World (with Pete Burak) - Part 1
What does it mean to be a holy man in today's culture? Recorded live at the SEEK 26 conference, Pete Burak, Vice President of Renewal Ministries, joins Dr. Sri to reflect on what it means to raise and form men of God in a confused culture—one marked by wounded fatherhood, competing visions of...
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Developing the Habit of Daily Prayer
Are you longing to pray more consistently? As we prepare to enter the new year, Dr. Sri explains how to cultivate the habit of daily prayer so we can deepen our relationship with God. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for…
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Christmas Greeting from Dr. Sri
Dr. Sri shares a special Christmas message, accompanied by some beautiful music performed by his son, Paul, from the past year. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.
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The 3 Prophecies of Isaiah Fulfilled
Do you know the three great prophecies of Isaiah about the coming of the Christ child? Dr. Sri explains the three profound Messianic prophecies of Isaiah—chapters 7, 9, and 11—and their fulfillment in the Child Jesus. From Emmanuel, God with us, to the light shining in Galilee, and the branch…
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Why It's Hard to Wait on the Lord
Do you have an area of your life where you feel like you're waiting patiently for the Lord? Just as Advent is a liturgical season of waiting, our own lives are marked by seasons of waiting too. Dr. Sri reminds us that God often does his deepest work not in solving our problems, but in the very…
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The Immaculate Conception: Meeting God in Our Lowest Parts
Do you ever feel intimidated by Mary’s holiness? In this special episode recorded at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Dr. Sri unpacks the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, explaining that Mary’s holiness doesn’t distance her from us—instead, it reveals that God is drawn to our...
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Impure Thoughts: How Far is Too Far?
Where’s the line between appreciating someone’s beauty and falling into lust? Dr. Sri breaks open St. John Paul II’s wisdom from Love and Responsibility to help us understand the inner movements of attraction, temptation, and purity. With clarity and compassion, he explains the three stages that...
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Finding the Light in Spiritual Darkness
What part of your life is feeling dark right now? In this special on-location episode, Dr. Sri takes us up Mount Tabor—the very site of the Transfiguration—to explore how this powerful event speaks directly into the darkest places of our lives. Standing where Peter, James, and John once witnessed...
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Giving God a Full ‘Yes’ Like Mary
What would it look like for you to give God your full “yes,” like Mary did? In this special on-location episode from the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Dr. Sri explains the rich details behind the profound event of the Annunciation. Discover how Mary’s wholehearted “yes” to God became a...
About this show
Join well-known theologian and author Edward Sri for weekly insights on understanding and living out the Catholic faith. Delve deeper into the Bible, prayer time, virtue, relationships, marriage and family and culture with practical reflections on all things Catholic. Don't just go through the motions. Live as an intentional Catholic, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
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