All Things Catholic by Edward Sri

Mary isn’t just open. She actually allows God to act in her life - even when it’s hard and unclear and when all she can do is walk by faith and not by sight. How can we be more like Mary, living trustful surrender as she did? For more on this topic, see Edward Sri's book "Walking with Mary" (Image Books).

Mary’s "Yes" was not a one-time "Fiat" in Nazareth. She had to renew her trustful surrender to the Father’s plan repeatedly throughout her life. Will we, like Mary, always be on the lookout for the next step God is asking us to take?

What makes the Bible different from Muslim, Hindu or other sacred texts from the world’s many religions? Can a modern serious thinker really believe that God inspired human beings to write his Scriptures?  Doesn’t that sound like fairy tales?”  In this episode, Edward Sri addresses these and other questions about the divine inspiration of Scripture.

Does your mind wander when you pray the Rosary?  Discover five keys to help you overcome distraction and encounter Jesus and Mary more in this powerful prayer.  May is Mary’s month and a good time to reinvigorate our devotion to Mary. In this episode, Edward Sri draws on insights from his book "Praying the Rosary Like Never Before" 

Why do the Gospels never mention Jesus appearing to Mary on Easter? Does that mean it didn’t happen?  Actually, the Risen Jesus probably appeared to Mary first - eagerly rising from the dead as early as possible on Easter morning so he could be reunited with his mother.

Can a serious thinker in the 21st century really believe in the resurrection of Jesus? When people die, they stay dead. How can Christians claim Jesus was different? The resurrection of Christ seems like a fairy tale—a Christian myth, invented by the apostles. That’s what many people in our secular age might think about Easter. How would you respond? Gain the clarity and confidence to explain our belief in the resurrection to others in this week’s episode.

The Cross is not Christ's defeat. It's his moment of triumph. Discover the Biblical meaning of the last three sayings from the Cross: "I Thirst"...."It is finished"..."Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." For example: "I Thirst." Jesus isn't just thirsting for something to drink. He thirsts for you—for your love, time and attention..for your total surrender to him. Will you make more room for him in your soul this Holy Week?

Was Jesus abandoned by his Father on Good Friday? What is the meaning of his words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is far from a cry of despair. It's actually a cry of confident hope amid great darkness. And the Biblical background to Jesus’ words gives us a roadmap for facing our own trials today.

Shortly before he dies, Jesus gives us one last gift: the gift of Mary as our spiritual mother. Indeed, this scene of Mary and the beloved disciple at Calvary is one of the most crucial Biblical passages for demonstrating Mary’s important role in the life of every Christian. In this episode, Edward Sri walks through the Biblical foundations for Mary's spiritual motherhood as he considers the third of Jesus' last words on the Cross: "Woman, behold your son...Behold, your mother."

Did you know that the Good Thief was blaspheming Jesus at Calvary, joining the others in their mocking of Christ?  What made him suddenly have a change of heart and encounter God’s amazing love and mercy? Edward Sri unearths the Biblical background of this last minute conversion and Jesus' final words to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Imagine being at Calvary with Jesus looking you in the eye and speaking these Seven Last Words personally to you.   In this episode, Edward Sri unpacks the Biblical meaning of Christ's Seven Last Words. Don’t think of these merely as words spoken to the world in general. Jesus was thinking of you on Calvary. He know what you’d be going through this year, this month, this day—and He spoke these Seven Last Words personally to you—to comfort you, challenge you, and encourage you today. 

“God loves us with all the passion of a true love,” says Pope Benedict. Discover how the theological background of the word ‘passion” can help us encounter God’s love for us in a deeper way this Lent. Special give-away in this episode. To enter a drawing for a signed copy of Edward Sri's new book "No Greater Love,", email topic ideas for future episodes to: info.edwardsri@gmail.com

Enter the very heart of Lent this year - not just Lent’s devotions and sacrifices.  For Lent isn’t about simply giving up something like chocolate. It’s more about creating space in our souls to encounter God at a deeper level.

Does love really exist? Am I worthy of love? We hunger for a deeper love than what the secular world has offered us. This week, Edward Sri interviews Frances Hopkins of the Culture Project in Sydney, Australia, who shares how God’s amazing love can still penetrate the thickest darkness in our secular age.

“I should be free to decide for myself my own spiritual values and make up my own morality. I don’t need a pope telling me what to do!” How would you respond to these challenges? This week is the perfect time to ponder these questions as the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, remembering the teaching authority Jesus gave Peter and his successors, the popes. Edward Sri unpacks six Biblical keys for explaining the papacy.